Spirit Figure (Nogwi)
ClassificationsSculpture
Culture
Kwoma
Date20th Century
Made AtEast Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumWood and pigment
Dimensions51 3/4 × 7 1/4 × 5 in. (131.4 × 18.4 × 12.7 cm)
Credit LineLoan courtesy of Gayle and Edward P. Roski
Object numberL.2010.4.45
DescriptionThis spirit carving, the vernacular name for which is Nogwi, comes from the Kwoma (Nukuma) people residing in the Washkuk Hills are of the East Sepik Province in Papua New Guinea, and it dates to the 20th century. Mischievous nogwi spirits are responsible for disruptive behavior that takes place during the yam ceremony of the Kwoma people. Headhunters, warriors and other esteemed males participate in the two day event (it is they who physically carry out the breaking of pottery and destruction of house roofs - all of which is attributed to the nogwi). The carved female spirits watch from atop a large pile of yams that is later distributed among the participants of the ceremony at its end.On View
On view
