Fighting Club, late 19th Century
Yangoru Boiken culture; East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea…

Images(2)

Club

ClassificationsArms and Armor-clubs

Culture Yangoru Boiken

Datelate 19th Century

Made AtEast Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumWood

Dimensions72 5/8 × 2 1/8 × 1 3/8 in., 43.77 oz. (184.5 × 5.4 × 3.5 cm, 1.241 kg.)

Credit LineBowers Museum Purchase

Object number2009.5.7

DescriptionThis fighting club is carved with powerful human, avian and reptilian designs that blend into one another. The symbols were intended to provide both precision and protection to the warrior who used the club. War clubs and were very common in the islands that made up Melanesia including Vanuatu and New Guinea. Primarily used in combat during tribal conflicts, the use of heavy wood made the clubs highly effective. Ceremonial clubs were sometimes created for the sole purpose of being placed beside a deceased warrior as they prepared for the journey into the afterworld.

On View

Not on view

Collections