Nguzunguzu
Roviana & Marovo · numen · Roviana & Marovo traditional religion; continuing · numen
The nguzunguzu, called musumusu in Marovo and sometimes toto isu, is the carved head-and-shoulders figure lashed at the waterline of the prow of the tomoko war and headhunting canoe. It was understood to embody a guardian presence that watched the water ahead, protected the crew, and warded off the sea-spirit Kesoko so that it could not cross the bow and undo the expedition. Some figures hold a small head between their hands, associating the guardian with the success of headhunting; others hold a frigatebird. Sources differ on whether the figurehead represents a specific protective spirit, a generic guardian ancestor, or a marine being set against Kesoko.
Domains
- protection and warding
- seafaring and raiding
Powers
- bars the sea-spirit Kesoko from crossing the bow
- watches the water ahead and guards the crew
Relations
- enemy: Kesoko
Sources
- Waite, D. (1990). 'Mon Canoes of the Western Solomon Islands,' in A. & L. Hanson (eds.), Art and Identity in Oceania. Bathurst: Crawford House.
- British Museum and Australian Museum, Oceania collection notes on Solomon Islands nguzunguzu.