Soul Boats, 20th century
Kuna people; Panama
Balsa wood and pigment; 26.5 x 12 x 31 in; 25 x 8 x 26 in.
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest and Auguste Roschen
96.5.1; 96.5.2
The Kuna people of Panama are best known for their colorful textiles called molas and much research and many exhibitions have been dedicated to this aspect of their artistic production. Far less common are studies of Kuna three dimensional works of art. The Bowers Museum has within its permanent collection two remarkable Kuna sculptures collected by the donor in Panama, 1923. These sculptures representing boats are made from lightweight balsa wood, nails and pigment and are incredibly rare because of their size, age and especially because there are very few other known examples. Each boat is decorated with geometric designs and filled many human shaped figures (17 in one and 23 in the other) and alligators. Some of the figures are larger in size than others and wear headdresses. Other figures appear to be armed with weapons and the figures perched atop poles hold drums.
Soul boats were placed in tombs along with food and the deceased's possessions for the journey to the afterlife. It has been suggested that the pair of these important sculptures may represent the sun and the moon. The Kuna carve figures to represent both benevolent and malevolent spirits that assist in achieving protection, health, success, etc., and no doubt some, if not all of the figures here represent such spirits. A death related Kuna myth tells of the battle between enemy spirits and benevolent spirits that takes place in the layer of underworld with flowing rivers. These two sculptures could possibly be representations of such a myth.
All images and text copyright Bowers Museum. Please contact Collection Department for permission to use.Information subject to change with further research.
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