Lime Spatula (Ghena Ngaa)

ClassificationsFurnishings-Serviceware-spatulas-lime spatulas

Culture Massim

Date20th Century

Made AtMilne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

Collection SiteMilne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumWood, fiber and spondylas shell

Dimensions15 1/4 × 9 × 1/2 in. (38.7 × 22.9 × 1.3 cm)

Credit LineCollected on behalf of the Bowers Museum by the Roski-Keller-Martin Expedition

Object number2014.12.23

DescriptionSpatulas such as this were not explicitly created to aid in the consumption of lime. Rather, they play an important role in the lifecycle of certain peoples within the Massim area. These spatulas can be made out of turtle shell or wood. When a woman’s husband has died, a spatula is presented to her at a large-scale feast celebrating his death. The spatula is the final component of her bride price and the feast and its corresponding ceremony allows her to remarry.

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