Traditional Wooden Mancala Board Game Dayak Tribe Borneo Aso Dragon Guardian Sculpture Kayan Wood Carving Asian Folk Art Vintage Home Decor

Description

This mancala is carved from a single piece of ironwood/ulin, a rare wood renowned for its hardness and durability. It represents a creature from the Dayak tribe folklore named Aso, holding its child on its back. The child functions as a handle to carry this mancala. Aso is a a mythical dragon-snake creature, acting as a protector of the Borneo people. The Aso dragon traditionally adorned the homes or objects owned by the upper class. 

Comes with a matching small plate to store the mancala seeds during gameplay. 

Borneo is the third-largest island in the world. It is shared by the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, Indonesian Kalimantan and the tiny nation of Brunei. The Dayak or Dyak or Dayuh are one of the native groups of Borneo. It is a loose term for over 200 ethnic groups, mainly residing along the banks of the larger rivers.

Made by the Dayak Kayan tribesman, it highlights their remarkable carving skills, amalgamating the mythical creatures with curvilinear shapes. Circa 1940s. 

MANCALA SIZE:
23.6″ x 7.8″ x 3.9″ (inches)
60 x 20 x 10 cm

SMALL PLATE SIZE:
10.2″ x 3.15″ x 3.15″ (inches)
26 x 8 x 8 cm

ITEM WEIGHT= 3150 grams