Asmat Bisj Poles | Buepis village, Irian Jaya, Melanesia, mid-20th century Along the southweste
Asmat Bisj Poles | Buepis village, Irian Jaya, Melanesia, mid-20th century Along the southwestern coast of New Guinea live the Asmat people of Irian Jaya eke- a hunting and gathering society in constant competition with each other over the limited resources of the mangrove swamps and tropical forests. Warfare and headhunting was central to Asmat culture and art until about the 1960s. Before the intervention of European missionaries and administrators the Asmat erected bisj poles that served as a pledge to avenge a relatives death. A man would erect one once he had enough support from others to undertake a headhunting raid. These poles were carved from mangroves and included the superimposed figures of dead individuals. After a successful headhunting raid, the men discarded the poles and allowed them to rot, because they had served their purpose. (x) -- source link
#art history#melanesia#carving#sculpture#art piece#1900s