This wooden carving is placed in an akimbo position, signifying a prominent artwork of the Saora tribe of Odisha, India. The Saora people used to have longstanding traditions associated with artistic expression, that of sculpture and painting. The human figure here is most probably part of some structure expressing the strong bonding of the tribe with nature, spirits, and culture. The akimbo position of hands on the hips represents strength, power, or even defiance, and this figure seems to also relate to some ritual or ceremonial specifications of the Saora tribe.
This wooden sculpture is the Saora tribe's craftsmanship-a talent of their ancestors with a long-standing tradition of being passed on to more generations. The carving, with a wealth of symbolism, tells the cultural narrative of the tribe. With the incorporation of these beliefs into their interaction with nature, the Saora tribe is rich in various belief systems. So the human figure could represent an ancestral spirit or a deity or perhaps even be a symbolic representation of their very own lives in a ritualistic context. While Saora art is known for being functional and decorative, each carving bears some spiritual significance. These wooden sculptures provide a venue for a celebration of artistry as well as a symbolic marker for the Saora people, strengthening their culture and preserving the traditions and beliefs that have been passed down to them. The human figure in this wooden sculpture with its corporeal freedoms, position, and fineness stands testimony to the artistic-free spirit of the tribe and the close cultural fabric within which its creativity evolved.