Dance Axe (Pem)

ClassificationsTools and Equipment-axes

Culture Tolai

Dateearly 20th Century

Made AtEast New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumWood and pigment

Dimensions37 3/4 × 4 7/16 × 1 1/4 in., 28.8 oz. (95.9 × 11.3 × 3.2 cm, 0.816 kg.)
In Mount: 38 7/8 × 6 1/2 × 4 1/2 in. (98.7 × 16.5 × 11.4 cm)

Credit LineBowers Museum Purchase

Object number2014.18.1

DescriptionThis dance axe is part of a group of sacred objects used by the Tolai people during mourning ceremonies for high-ranking deceased members of the community. An initiated man would don a mask resembling an older woman and use this axe to destroy the deceased’s house and property to search for their spirit. While they were used ceremonially and are considered status objects, they have also been used as exchange items.

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