Bow Rattle

89-17-100

From: Papua New Guinea | Western Province, Papua New Guinea

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

Object Number 89-17-100
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Yonggom/Muyu
Provenience Papua New Guinea | Western Province, Papua New Guinea
Section Oceanian
Materials Cassowary Claw | Plant Fiber
Description

Bow rattle of cassowary claw (diap turuk) (diap=cassowary, turuk = claw). Cassowary claw with Gnetum cord attached. The claw is attached to the top of a regular bow, loosely tired to the stave. When the bow string is plucked, the cassowary claw rattles and resonates. This "instrument" is used in three dances in which men carry bows; ketmom (processional dance at pig feasts), urumanop and amewop. Also used by speakers in the divination ceremony called kibirat. This is the first notation and collection of this type of artifact. See Kirsch field notes for more data. Made by Kerek Dokyap, Meremko clan, Dome village. Purchased from maker 4/19/89.

Length 8 cm
Credit Line Purchased from Stuart A. Kirsch, 1989
Other Number 135 A - Other Number

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