Sculpture - Malagan

Production date
1882
Country
Papua New Guinea
State/Province
New Ire
See full details

Object detail

Description
Wood sculpture, Malagan type: Kobokobor horizontal sculpture, Pig head on each end of sculpture. Four black birds along length of sculpture, with two black birds facing central mataling 'eye of fire'.
Turbo pelothus opercula represent eyes.
Maker
Production date
1882
Production place
Measurements
L2170mm x W317mm
Media/Materials description
Wood, opercula from Turbo Petholatus.
History and use
The kobokobor horizontal sculpture is used in Malagan. Most often a long horizontal sculptural form, the kobokobor often acts as the horizontal base for a vertical eikuar or marumarua.

Interpreted as the 'root of the tree of the malagan', the kobokobor is understood to the strongest of the malagans.

When transferred to the next generation, the new owner has been handed the main bulk of the clan's malagans and that responsibility is then transferred to them.

Malagan ceremonies are large, intricate traditional cultural events that take place in parts of New Ireland province in Papua New Guinea. The word malagan also refers to wooden carvings which are prepared for the ceremonies, and to an entire system of traditional culture.
Registration number
E4522

Share

My shortlist

State/Province

Explore other objects by colour