Tau Tau

Tau tau meaning little person or humanoïd are life-size wooden effigies representing the deceased.It seems that these effigies of only high ranking dead have been made for the first time in the late 19th century showing only the deceased's gender,recently the carvers try to imitate the likeness of the dead's face.Making of these tau tau takes a long time with many taboos and because they are made in nangka,an expensive durable wood of the breadtree,they cost a lot of money.
One can see in the carved balconies of Lemo tau tau about half life-size or a little bigger dressed with fine clothing with their arms outstretched welcoming their desendants or the visitors.They are not the originals but replicas.
In Londa there is a balcony of amazing tau tau guarding the entrance of the graves cave.
Tau tau are meeting places for the spirit,they guard the excavated tombs and bless their descendants.