Ngwalndu Female Figural Relief
Dublin Core
Title
Ngwalndu Female Figural Relief
Creator Biography
Oceanic
Culture
Abelam Culture
Place Made
Maprik region, Papua New Guinea (Oceania)
Description
Ngwalndu figural reliefs are images that represent the male and female ancestral spirits of the Abelam culture. Male ancestor images clearly exhibit large, sculpted male genitalia, while representations of female ancestors, such as the Ngwalndu Female Figural Relief in this exhibit, are more subtle. Only a black painted triangle or diamond shape indicates the female genitalia; sometimes an oval is used to represent her belly, and small painted shapes may be used to indicate her breasts.
Ngwalndu relief images are believed to influence the whole community, and they are also believed to serve as receptacles for ancestor spirits who visit the community before returning to another world. The paints used on these figures are thought to give life to the wood, making the Ngwalndu come alive. The color red is often used on the figures, as red refers to the power of the ancestors.
Images of the Ngwalndu typically appear as sculpted and painted motifs on the facade and on the interior of the community's meetinghouse, known among the Abelam as the korombos, sacred spirit, or Tamberan house. The Tamberan house represents the body of a woman, and the Ngwalndu figural reliefs are stored inside the main chamber, which represents her womb.
The Ngwalndu relief images also plan an important ceremonial role in Abelam men's initiations, which are very long rituals with many stages. Initiations last from when a boy is five or six years of age until he is between 30 and 50. The most important part of the initiation is the final ritual, held inside the Tamberan house, where the carved relief figures of the Ngwalndu are decorated with shell rings, feathers, and flowers and then shown to the initiates. This elaborate display of the Ngwalndu reliefs to the initiates, along with the accompanying dances and rituals, indicates that they have become fully adult men in their community.
While the Tamberan house is traditionally a ceremonial men's house and was used in the past strictly for secret male rituals, today it is no longer secretive; the women and children of the community know about the rituals that take place there. The Tamberan house is said to unify the community, and the area in front of the house, called the amei, is used for community ceremonies.
Researched and conserved by Shauna Beach, 2011, MSU Student under the direction of Dr. Billie Follensbee
Ngwalndu relief images are believed to influence the whole community, and they are also believed to serve as receptacles for ancestor spirits who visit the community before returning to another world. The paints used on these figures are thought to give life to the wood, making the Ngwalndu come alive. The color red is often used on the figures, as red refers to the power of the ancestors.
Images of the Ngwalndu typically appear as sculpted and painted motifs on the facade and on the interior of the community's meetinghouse, known among the Abelam as the korombos, sacred spirit, or Tamberan house. The Tamberan house represents the body of a woman, and the Ngwalndu figural reliefs are stored inside the main chamber, which represents her womb.
The Ngwalndu relief images also plan an important ceremonial role in Abelam men's initiations, which are very long rituals with many stages. Initiations last from when a boy is five or six years of age until he is between 30 and 50. The most important part of the initiation is the final ritual, held inside the Tamberan house, where the carved relief figures of the Ngwalndu are decorated with shell rings, feathers, and flowers and then shown to the initiates. This elaborate display of the Ngwalndu reliefs to the initiates, along with the accompanying dances and rituals, indicates that they have become fully adult men in their community.
While the Tamberan house is traditionally a ceremonial men's house and was used in the past strictly for secret male rituals, today it is no longer secretive; the women and children of the community know about the rituals that take place there. The Tamberan house is said to unify the community, and the area in front of the house, called the amei, is used for community ceremonies.
Researched and conserved by Shauna Beach, 2011, MSU Student under the direction of Dr. Billie Follensbee
Century
20th
Item Dimensions
110.5 cm h x 29.7 cm w x 2.5 cm d
Medium
sculpture
Materials
wood & pigment
Techniques
carving
Provenance
Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Morton D. May, 1967
Acession Number
1971.244
Accession Year
1971
Photo Number
20110075