Dilukai

Dilukai refers to a type of carved wooden figure found among the indigenous peoples of New Ireland, an island in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. These figures are traditionally associated with ancestor cults and funerary rites. Dilukai are typically female figures, often depicted with exaggerated sexual characteristics, and are believed to represent ancestral spirits or guardians. They are carved from local wood and can range in size from small personal objects to larger, more elaborate figures displayed in communal spaces. The intricate details of their carving, including facial features, body adornments, and hairstyles, carry specific cultural meanings and can vary between different clans or regions. Dilukai played a significant role in the spiritual and social life of the communities that produced them, serving as focal points for rituals, storytelling, and the transmission of cultural knowledge. While their production and use have been impacted by external influences, dilukai remain an important element of New Ireland's artistic and cultural heritage.