Crafted by the Mahafaly from the great South of Madagascar since the 18th century, Aloalo sculptures were originally erected to honor deceased relatives while celebrating the living with prestige. Usually sculpted out of Mendorave, a very dense, rare and sacred wood exclusively cut and handled by sculptors; the aloalo is a vertical sculpture that reaches about 2 meters high (6.5 feet) divided in two distinct parts. The base of the sculpture is a pole. It's upper middle part is carved into eight (the number of wholeness) successive geometric motifs painted in vivid colors. The first seven motifs are an alternating succession of diamond- like or half-moon-like figures that respectively represent, according to tradition, a Zebu's forehead and a sleeping dog. The last symbol of the pole is a full moon adorned with sun rays that evokes light, life and eternity. Sculptor Efiaimbelo modernized the object by introducing colors and diversifying the stories being sculpted. Efiaimbelo owes his knowledge from his great grandfather Soroboko and passed it to his son, Jacques-Jean, and his grandson, Jean-Colombe, maintaining this tradition in their clan.