Description:

A Beautiful Old Kwoma Minja Figure, Waskuk Area Upper Sepik River Papua New Guinea, Finely Carved, Ochre Painted and Decorated with Boars' Tusks,
Minja is one of three distinct ceremonies held annually in the villages of the Kwoma, Nukuma and Mayo speakers of the Upper Sepik River, in a region generally referred to as the Waskuk. These ceremonies are associated with the harvesting of yams.

There are two other Yam Harvest Ceremonies that are associated with a distinctive from of sculpture, Yina & Nogkwi.

Minja is the second of the yam harvest ceremonies. The basic iconographic feature is a highly stylized representation of a spirit figure. The head is greatly enlarged with a prominent nose. The most striking feature of the face is the nose, a common Sepik symbol of the phallus.
The shaft is associated with the yam digging stick, a tool used to dig holes for the yam planting. There is an obvious phallic and fertility symbol of the shaft (male) being thrust into the earth (female). Though strong symbols of maleness permeate the sculptural form, the Minja can be designated either male or female. Minja represent spirits known as sikilawos, which have great power and are responsible for the continuing fertility of the yam gardens.
Ritual leaders organize the Minja ceremony at yam harvest time. The next two ceremonies featuring their own sculpted images of Yina and Nokwi and must also be performed before the full harvest and consumption beings.

Older Ceremonial Figures are hidden in garden huts, away from the village. They have acquired power over time and through use. New carvings are required from time to time; power is not inherent, but develops in the process of carving and painting.

Provenance:
Old Australian Collection & Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art

  • Dimensions: H 156 cm

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9 August 2022 18:00 AEST
Stanmore, Australia

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