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Club or Staff, 20th Century
Unrecorded Abelam artist; East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
W…
Club or Staff
Club or Staff, 20th Century
Unrecorded Abelam artist; East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
W…
Club or Staff, 20th Century Unrecorded Abelam artist; East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea Wood; 43 × 1 5/8 × 1 1/4 in. 2021.7.84 Anonymous Gift

Club or Staff

ClassificationsArms and Armor-clubs
Culture Abelam
Date20th Century
Made AtEast Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumWood
Dimensions43 × 1 5/8 × 1 1/4 in. (109.2 × 4.1 × 3.2 cm)
Credit LineAnonymous Gift
Object number2021.7.84
DescriptionBased on the distinct incised designs, this object was most likely made by the Abelam people in Papua New Guinea's Sepik River region. However, it's function is less than clear. It is likely a club, but may be a staff or other tool.

War clubs were very common in the islands that make up Melanesia, including the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Guinea. Primarily wielded in tribal conflicts, clubs made of heavy wood and occasionally fitted with stone heads were highly effective bludgeoning tools. War clubs had other uses too. They could be employed in agriculture and symbolic war clubs were often created for the sole purpose of being placed beside a deceased warrior as they prepared for the journey into the afterworld.
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