Ancestor board "gope"
Emil Storrer, Zurich, Switzerland
Description
wood, remains of dark brown patina and white pigment, carved in flat relief, a stylized face in the centre, surrounded by toothed ornaments, characteristic form, unusual: carved with a kind of handle, old collection number “M 477” backside, drilled holes for attachment, slightly dam., minor missing parts, strong abrasion of paint, traces of insect caused damage backside, crack at the same place;
there has been some question as to what the boards actually represent - ancestor spirits or spirits of the bush. An Orokolo native himself stated that the principal function of a “gope” was to receive the magical “charge” of an ancestral spirit. It was told that spirits of such boards would go into battle with men who whorshipped it - both protecting them and causing confusion amongst the enemy. Furtheron the magical powers still had relevance to successful hunting. In any case they had a protective function and were kept in the mens houses.