Wooden Bhuta Tribal Tiger Statue From – Ca 1920

The Bhuta (also called Bhootha) culture is believed to predate Hinduism and is an Animist form of spirit worship with cults once found all over India. With the growth of Hinduism and other religions, the Bhuta culture is now confined to the coastal area of Karnataka in India. This area has remained mostly isolated from outsiders until recently which has enabled the region to retain the ancient Bhuta belief systems.

This fabulous wooden tiger would make a huge statement in any room. Like many pieces from South India, it would have been brightly painted. It was carved by a local village carpenter and would have been used as part of Bhuta Kola spirit worship rituals which involved highly stylised dancing with masks to obtain the blessing of the god and protect the community.

The head and body are incredibly carved from a single tree trunk and traces of the original bright yellow paint remain on his underbelly, neck, and legs. The tail is a later replacement.