Cooking Pot (Toka Apu)

ClassificationsFurnishings-Cookware-pots

Culture Waria

Date19th to 20th Century

Made AtMorobe Province, Papua New Guinea

Collection SiteMorobe Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumClay

Dimensions13 3/4 × 8 3/4 × 8 5/8 in. (34.9 × 22.2 × 21.9 cm)

Credit LineGift of Michael Hamson

Object number2018.7.15

Description“Tukapu” Aro Village is a sub-district in the Garasa area in the south-west corner of the Morobe Province near the Waria River. There are several villages along the river, all of which belong to the Guhu-Samane language group of the Binandere family but are often referred to as the ‘Waria’. The Waria people make only cooking pots, toka apu. Pots are made by both men and women but more recently it has become a predominantly all male industry. The production of pottery originated in the southern villages and spread throughout the rest of the province. The majority of toka apu are characterized by elongated, straight sided pots with a rounded nipple base point. For cooking, pots are stood with their base buried in the ground and the fire is built surrounding the pot. These vessels are highly regarded by the Waria and are said to be able to tenderize even the toughest pig. Traditionally, the trade in pots was usually restricted to the language group of the Guhu-Samane. This accounts for the distinct shape of the Waria pots as their pottery was never commercialized or even traded outside of the Morobe Province.

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