Physical Description

A male figure made from a single piece of wood. The figure is portrayed seated on a stool holding a mask in front of his face. The stool is decorated with a male and a female figure forming the legs. The main figure has shells embedded in the face for eyes and a fibre belt around the waist. The smaller figures at the bottom have shell necklaces and fibre skirts.

Significance

This figure is from Kamanibit village on the north coast of Papua New Guinea. It was kept in the spirit house where it was given the power to protect the village from unfriendly water spirits called maselei. This was especially important during ceremonies when flutes and bullroarers announced the presence of the paramount spirit of the region's Iatmul people.

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