Dance ornament
Production date
Pre 1975
Country
Papua New Guinea
State/Province
East New Britain
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Object detail
Description
Register description: Dance Ornament: wood, handle at base carved and painted, white, red, green, orange, blue; collar of leaves above handle; feathers at top and on body L1445mm
Classification
INDIGENOUS CULTURES Melanesian & South Sea Islander dance ornament
Maker
Production date
Pre 1975
Production place
Measurements
L.1445 mm
Media/Materials description
Painted wood, plant fibre, feathers, string
History and use
Painted wooden wands such as this are carried by the Tolai people of East New Britain during dances and ceremonial performances. The dance wands form one part of the Tolai ceremonial paraphernalia that is collectively known as pokopoko. When in use the wands are given the name bair and are carried one in each in each hand by male performers. Most bair have serrated edges and attached feathers. This example also contains a collar of ferns near the base.
This dance wand was collected in Port Moresby in September 1975. It was carried by a Tolai dancer during the celebrations that took place to mark Papua New Guinea’s independence.
This dance wand was collected in Port Moresby in September 1975. It was carried by a Tolai dancer during the celebrations that took place to mark Papua New Guinea’s independence.
Registration number
E12509
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