| Sepik River Cultures - New Guinea | ||
| Abelam - Two cycles/cults that define Abelam life: Gift Exchange based on Long Yams and the Tamberan Cult |  |
|
Tamberan Housefront Paintings: Note Clan figure heads, row of female figures; flying foxes in apex |
Long Yam displayed with Mask and Shell Ornaments. | |
| Man= Long Yam= Spirit Equation expressed by visual tranformations Spirits given visual form through sculpture and masks; Man given spiritual form through
wearing masks and body transformation; Yam given anthropomorphic and spiritual form |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| Male Cultural Creativity vs. Female Natural Creativity Expressed Through
Art |
 |
|
| "wut" literally translates as "womb" | Tamberan House Interior Paintings called "wut" -- House=Space for Boys' Socialization/rebirth as adults | Net Bags (only craft done by women) called "wut" |
| Male-Female Symbolism of House: Ridge Pole = Male House as a Whole = Female Phallic Symbolism: Male As Aggressor |
 |
 |
| Tamberan Cult house with painted house front. Click on image for larger view. | Abelam Clan Spirit Figure - Phallic Symbolism - Male as Nurturing Force | |
 |
|
|
|
Iatmul Men's House - Gendered Space |
Fertile Female Figure guards entrance to third floor (detail) |
| L. Iatmul Mai Masks (Clan Spirits) dancing. R. Mai Mask |
 |
|
| L. Iatmul Mai Mask R. Iatmul Gable Mask (Grotesque |
 |
 |
| Sepik Bird-Man Masks |
|
|
| L. Sepik Debator's Stool R. Sepik Overmodelled Skull (Portrait) |
|
|
| L. Abelam Hook
R. Sepik Hook |
|
|
| L. Abelam Clan Spirit Figure R. Sepik Clan Spirit (Hook) Figure |
|
|
