Mombaki stick, Ifugao, Philippines, 2nd half of the 20th century

A striking object, this Mombaki stick. Tribal art from Oceania. This object is a kind of ritual staff that belonged to a Mombaki, the name for a tribal priest of the Ifugao tribe in the north of the island of Luzon. Although traditions are slowly disappearing, the Mombaki still plays an important role in Ifugao culture. People visit him for advice where the Mombaki creates a strong energy through various rituals that influences things that are about to happen. The Mombaki use ritual wooden boxes, magical staffs with animal skulls and chicken feathers, chicken blood, necklace, headdress etc. A Mombaki can be compared to a shaman.
One of the attributes that a mombaki uses is a stick like this. Wooden handle that he holds and also a skull of a dog, rooster legs and feathers. This is a decorative object, not used tribally but exactly as they are used. Good state!

Length: 35 cm
Weight: 423 grams
Origin: Banaue, Luzon, Philippines
Date: 21st century