Ancestor Panel, 20th Century
Abelam culture; Maprik area, Prince Alexander Mountains, East Sep…

Architectural Panel

ClassificationsArchitectural Elements-panels

Culture Abelam

Date20th Century

Made AtEast Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumWood and pigment

Dimensions85 × 46 in. (215.9 × 116.8 cm)

Credit LineGift of Elaine Irell

Object number94.7.1

DescriptionThis openwork ancestor panel comes from Abelam of the Maprik River region in Papua New Guinea. A man's status is judged by his ability to grow ceremonial yams in the Maprik area. The yam festival is the gathering to honor and celebrate the largest yams grown each year. This panel is part of the decorations that are brought out to adorn the Spirit House. The figures represent animal and human figures with the hornbill bird resting at the top.

On View

On view

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