SKU: 26280727395

Mahafaly AloAlo Grave Post Fragment, Madagascar #881

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Description

Mahafaly AloAlo Grave Post Fragment, Madagascar #881Mahafaly AloAlo Grave Post Fragment, Madagascar Fragment of the top part of an Aloalo grave pile and so called "Guardian of the Dead" The figurine depicts 4 figures of which the middle one is a small boy who is being circumcised and held by 2 other people and the 3rd performing the circumcision. This piece is from the 1930s 1950s of the "Mahafaly" ethnic tribe living in the southwestern part of Madagascar in the Basibasy region. This tribe lives semi

  • Mahafaly AloAlo Grave Post Fragment, Madagascar
  • Fragment of the top part of an Aloalo grave pile and so-called "Guardian of the Dead"
  • The figurine depicts 4 figures of which the middle one is a small boy who is being circumcised and held by 2 other people and the 3rd performing the circumcision.
  • This piece is from the 1930s-1950s of the "Mahafaly" ethnic tribe living in the southwestern part of Madagascar in the Basibasy region. This tribe lives semi nomadically in the very arid dry landscape where marine animals are caught on the coast and where the arid landscape is cultivated together with the keeping of large herds of cattle, mostly the Zebu cow.
  • Like all Madagascans, they are convinced that the soul of the deceased roams around the family home for a long time.The tribes from the south keep in touch with the deceased by means of ceremonial communication which is established through a type of trance called "Tromba". During this ceremony it seems that the participants are possessed.
  • Also, the relics are cleaned that lose their meaning after a long time (decades) because the souls of the deceased have met its creator God and after that the contact will be broken. After this, sometimes new sculptures take their place and the old sculptures are sold / destroyed / or ground into powder to perform "grisgris" = sorcery with them.
  • The real AloAlo is an artistic rarity, as the ancestor cult, which originates from Papa New Guinea, was only physically manifested in these tomb piles in Madagascar.
  • The aloalo represents death and must be kept away from the living. In fact, the places where the graves are located are closed to access, except at the time of burial and in the event that herds have wandered there. Otherwise you have to go through very strict rituals. Those that could be seen along national roads were initially in the forest, but roads had to be built to facilitate movement. Some Mahafaly saw it as an opportunity to show their greatness to the world!
  • Totems were originally reserved for kings and queens to symbolize their nobility, but today anyone can use them to display their wealth. The more a tomb is provided, the higher the status of the deceased. Other elements are added to these attributes of wealth, notably zebu horns, the number of which corresponds to the livestock owned by the deceased. Indeed, everything must be performed and consumed during this funeral.
  • Even the shapes of the tombs are exceptional, ranging from a simple vault to a palace, including an airplane, a boat, etc. You should know that these tombs are the new homes of the deceased, where they will live forever. So it would be better if they were ready, especially as one becomes an ancestor, a razana, to whom the living worship belongs. Indeed, according to Malagasy belief, ancestors are the intermediary between God (Andriamanitra or Zanahary in the coastal dialect) and the living.
  • Measurements: 26.5×13.5cm
  • Condition: Due to age and standing outside in wind and weather, this statue has oxidized and weathered. This figurine has a few dried lichens and you can also see the weathering in the wood, but the hardwood is not brittle.

 

 

 


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SKU: 26280727395

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Veronica Mariano
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
Strong and holds up to aggressive chewing
Color: Blue, Color: Blue
This was a fast favorite for our extremely aggressive chewer ('indestructible' toys are typically destroyed within hours)... this has survived about a week and still going strong.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2026
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Judy P.
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 4
My dog is a very aggressive chewer.
Color: Blue
My dog is an aggressive chewer and this lasted about 3 weeks before he started to get into the plastic and I had to throw away. It lasted longer than other chew toys so it was good. However the tail makes it easier for him to chew off into pieces. He gets nervous and needs to chew on something. I find the hard cheese sticks a better option for his nervousness.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2026
A
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Amazon Customer
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Happy hound!
Color: Yellow, Color: Yellow
My 2 yr old bloodhound destroys every toy in minutes, but not this one. My husband and I actually buy toys to see how long they last for fun. Although the croc is NOT indestructible, it lasts a whole lot longer than most. After an hr or so, I took away the only piece he's chewed off which is part of the back leg. Otherwise nothing else is missing off the croc. Our boy has been very occupied with this new toy and we're satisfied with his new distraction!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2026
B
Verified Purchase
Baily Gravunder
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Definitely a tough toy
Color: Blue
This is one of the few toys my Boxer/american bulldog mix hasn’t been able to tear apart. He loves chewing on it and I love that he doesn’t chew on stuff he shouldn’t. I have such an issue with toys being torn apart the day I bring them home. I wish there was a safe way for it to have a squeaker since he loves squeakers but I don’t think that is possible.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2026
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Hannah
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Croc-sational
Color: Blue
My tough chewer is OBSESSED with Croc. Stands up well, small particles occasionally come off but this beats going thru 3 stuffies in an hour. Good value, easy to clean and great for our 91lb pitty
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Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2026

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