Shield (Wörrumbi)
ClassificationsArms and Armor-shields
Culture
Mendi
Date20th Century
Made AtSouthern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
Collection SiteMt. Hagen, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumWood and fiber
Dimensions49 × 19 1/2 × 2 in. (124.5 × 49.5 × 5.1 cm)
Credit LineAnonymous Gift
Object number2017.10.163
DescriptionWar was a common feature in Mendi society until at least the middle of the 20th Century. In combat, the Mendi have had three distinct types of shields. Based on the form and general design of this shield it is a wörrumbi, a medium-sized, elongated ovoid bowman’s shield. There were both lighter and heavier variants, but the wörrumbi was favored as it allowed for a happy medium of mobility and defense. This shield appears to be carved from a hardwood strong enough to shatter or deflect bone or palm arrows on impact. Abstract, geometric designs are most common, and the semi-circles seen on this shield as well as the central band carved in relief are also common fixtures. Generally, incising rather than pigmenting shields have been seen more in the neighboring Wola of Nembi Valley, but this can be explained by proximity. For example, the bark shields of other groups in Papua New Guinea’s eastern highlands also made their way to the Mendi.On View
Not on viewCollections
