Samal Sunduk Burial Marker

Stone wood carved 'sunduk', burial site marker called a  'duyang-duyang'. These markers are also referred to as  "spirit vessels" (symbolic passage of the spirit to the next life) and appear in various animal and human shapes. This example is in a stylized bird form but also appear in boat and horse shapes. The rounded pointed upright post denotes this as a male marker and features a stylized bird head and 'Sarimanok' (Muslim legendary bird figure) tail.

These markers have been found crafted from stone wood, coral and aggregate or a combination thereof. Many are from Samal Island, Davao del Norte province, in the Davao gulf near the island of  Mindanao, Sulu Archipelago of the southern Philippines area. Also found in Malaysia and other South China Sea islands. Dates from the early 20th century. 21" long x 18" tall x 7" wide.