Nguzunguzu

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: KesokoSet at the prow to keep the sea-spirit Kesoko from crossing the bow.Waite, D. (1990). 'Mon Canoes of the Western Solomon Islands,' in Art and Identity in Oceania, Crawford House. (secondary)

Sources

• The nguzunguzu (musumusu) is the guardian prow figurehead of the tomoko canoe, understood to protect the crew and ward off the sea-spirit Kesoko.: Waite, D. (1990). 'Mon Canoes of the Western Solomon Islands,' in A. & L. Hanson (eds.), Art and Identity in Oceania. Bathurst: Crawford House. (secondary)
• Figures clasping a head associate the prow-guardian with the outcome of headhunting raids.: British Museum and Australian Museum, Oceania collection notes on Solomon Islands nguzunguzu. (secondary)