Suspension Hook (Samban, Tshambwan)

Iatmul people

Not on view

Iatmul suspension hooks have both utilitarian and ceremonial functions. Suspended from the rafters by a cord, they are used to safeguard food, clothing, and other items, which are placed in baskets or string bags and hung from the hook-shaped prongs at the base to keep them out of reach of vermin. Most hooks are adorned with representations of ancestral spirits and totemic animals associated with the owner’s clan. In the past, some suspension hooks, especially those
representing waken, the most powerful Iatmul supernatural beings, served as sacred images through which the supernatural beings they depicted could be consulted. Before embarking on a raid or hunting expedition, men gathered within the ceremonial house to consult the waken through the hook bearing its image. Offerings of chickens, betel nut, or other items were hung from the hook and then
consumed by a human “attendant,” who went into a trance during which the waken spoke through him, providing advice. Primarily functional, household suspension hooks were also used to contact spirits about more minor matters.
In the past, some suspension hooks, especially those
representing waken, the most powerful Iatmul supernatural
beings, served as sacred images through which the
supernatural beings they depicted could be consulted.
Before embarking on a raid or hunting expedition, men
gathered within the ceremonial house to consult the waken
through the hook bearing its image. Offerings of chickens,
betel nut, or other items were hung from the hook and then
consumed by a human “attendant,” who went into a trance
during which the waken spoke through him, providing advice.
Primarily functional, household suspension hooks were also
used to contact spirits about more minor matters.

Suspension Hook (Samban, Tshambwan), Wood, paint, Iatmul people

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.