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1987
Copper, steel, wood, paint,
electric motor
97-5-1, museum purchase
Pubescent girls initiated into womanhood (iriabo) in a coming-of-age ceremony called Iria are considered to be marriageable and able to bear healthy children. When initiates are presented to the community, they are dressed in valuable cloth wrappers and adorned with coral beads and necklaces. Iriabo participate in important celebrations, dancing to pot drums or songs sung by women. Small Iriabo (Clapping Girl) claps her hands as though preparing the way for a masquerader.
