Horn

ClassificationsTools and Equipment-musical instruments-horns

Culture Asmat

Dateearly to mid 20th Century

Collection SitePapua (Irian Jaya) Province, Indonesia

Made AtPapua (Irian Jaya) Province, Indonesia

MediumBamboo and pigment

Dimensions19 1/4 × 2 3/4 × 2 5/8 in., 16 oz. (48.9 × 7 × 6.7 cm, 0.454 kg.)
In Mount: 20 7/8 × 5 × 4 7/8 in. (53 × 12.7 × 12.4 cm)

Credit LineAnonymous Gift

Object number2017.10.40

DescriptionAmong the Asmat, carved horns were used on headhunting raids to scare enemies before attacking. In addition, the horns were used during celebrations after the successful raids. The horn is decorated with intricate forms highly symbolic of the ancestral world. The horn was always brought along on raids, as well as special celebrations honoring the death of a respected warrior.

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