Head sculpture ·  Papua New Guinea - Gazelle Peninsula, Gunantuna/Tolai · ID: 3041928

Description

white lime stone, slanting face halfes, prominent nasal wings, mouth and chin area slightly asymmetrical, pigment remains (left face half), slightly dam., base;
the people today known as the “Gunantuna” or “Tolai” migrated to the Gazelle Peninsula from New Ireland, probably in the 16th or 17th century. They pushed the local Baining populations back up into the mountains and settled the northern area of the peninsula. The men belong to two secret societies, “iniet” and “dukduk”. One distinctive feature of the “iniet” was the use of sculptural figures, both humanoid and zoomorphic, carved from natural white chalk. The German colonial administration eradicated pagan “iniet” practices, which is why only little is known today of the true function of the “iniet” figures.

Comparing literature

Koch, Gerd, Iniet - Geister in Stein, Berlin 1982, ill. 283 ff.