Dance shield ('kai-diba')
Production date
Pre 1967
Country
Papua New Guinea
State/Province
Milne Bay
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Object detail
Description
Wooden dance shield, decorated with scroll-like designs that represent the Hornbill bird, and coloured with black, orange and white pigment. The shield has two decorated and carved ends, joined with a short wooden handle.
Classification
INDIGENOUS CULTURES Melanesian & South Sea Islander dance ornament
Production date
Pre 1967
Production place
Measurements
L 756 x W 256 x D 15 mm
History and use
Dance shields, known as kai-diba, is sometimes called a dance paddle. The shield has two circular carved ends connected by a short bar. Dance shields are used for ceremonial occasions, such as harvest festivals, when a new canoe was launched, and in ceremonial preparations for battle and warfare.
The spiral and scroll designs, and comma-like motifs in the decoration represent the hornbill, a native bird often used as a totemic symbol in Papua New Guinea.
This object was part of a larger donation made to the Museum of Tropical Queensland in 2012, on behalf of the estate of Len and Catherine Lawler.
The spiral and scroll designs, and comma-like motifs in the decoration represent the hornbill, a native bird often used as a totemic symbol in Papua New Guinea.
This object was part of a larger donation made to the Museum of Tropical Queensland in 2012, on behalf of the estate of Len and Catherine Lawler.
Associated person
Registration number
E40863
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