Travel Guide Libba

A little further, in the village of Libba, the famous Malagan sculptors are inhabited. It is essential to stop there to meet them and to contemplate or buy their sculptures, which can also be seen in many international museums. Ben Nawaya was one of the last traditional Master Carvers. Unfortunately, he died in 2018. His nephews David and Noah try to pick up the torch. But the secrets surrounding these sculptures discourage young people from continuing tradition. These masters of tradition must instigate the spirit of the dead in the sculptures they realize, and then burn them. The malagan style also produces masks like the Wanis, whose big ears are characteristic and reserved for chefs. Tatuana masks are reserved for dancers, who interpret movements to honor the dead. Tonglas represent spirits in the form of small men. Maredas are totems to call rain. The Walik are fried totems. Master Carvers are the heirs of a magic knowledge that surround their work. In addition, by warning in advance (which is not easy), it is sometimes possible to organize dances with ╚ tatanua.