Board for Making Grass Skirts

ClassificationsTools and Equipment

Culture Massim

Datemid 20th Century

Made AtMilne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumWood

Dimensions23 3/4 × 8 1/2 × 1 1/2 in. (60.3 × 21.6 × 3.8 cm)

Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih

Object number2013.5.23

DescriptionSuch boards are used to make bundles of designed banana leafs, some of which are used to make grass skirts for women. The banana leaf is laid across the board and scraped; this process leaves the board’s incised design in relief on the leaf which is then laid in the sun to dry. Boards are carved by men for their female relatives. Used in the Massim cultural area of the Trobriand Islands.

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