Grand bouclier de combat "yemes" ·  Westneuguinea / Westpapua (Irian Jaya), Asmat · ID: 3047913

Description

mangrove wood, completely covered with dark patina, the stylized face at the top represents the stingray “puru”, the corpus carries emblems that are related to head hunting (flying fox “tar” and “bipane” motifs); perforations for decorative tassels on the rim, the back is painted

The relationship between shield and owner was very close and the shields were of high symbolic and emotional value.

When the owner died, the shield was split into two pieces lengthwise, covering the corpse wrapped in mats and laid out for burial. Alternatively, the shield could also be passed on to the son of the deceased.

Littérature comparée

Helfrich, Klaus u.a., Asmat, Berlin 1996, p. 143