Ceremonial house decoration "garra" ·  Papua New Guinea - Hunstein Mountains, Bahinemo · ID: 3033757

Description

wood, red and yellow ochre, white and black pigment, concave vaulted stylized face with superimposed hook-shaped projections, slightly dam., cracks, paint rubbed off, water spots;
“garra” masks represent bush spirits and older men. The hooks are seen as stylized hornbill beaks. The masks were hung from the rafters in the Men’s House. All the “garra” (= secret items) of the Bahinemo are believed to have been originally created by “wimogou” and “igoshua”, a mythical couple who are said to still live on a small island at the mouth of the April River.

Comparing literature

Meyer, Anthony J.P., Ozeanische Kunst, Vol. I, Köln 1995, p. 266