Debating Stool (Kawa Rigit)
houses of the Iatmul people stands, or stood, a debating stool
(kawa rigit), which is the focus of formal debates. All significant
matters must be debated in the presence of the village’s most
prominent ancestor, whose image appears on the back of the
stool. Supernaturally powerful, the stools never serve as
seats. Instead, they are rhetorical devices, used to emphasize
important points during debates, which center primarily on
religious matters. The name kawa rigit means seat of leaves.
As each speaker begins, he takes up a bundle of leaves from
the seat and strikes it. To emphasize each main point in his
speech, he strikes the seat again or lays a portion of the
leaves on it, concluding with a final blow. Always lively, Iatmul debates generally end peacefully, although they occasionally erupt into fights.
Artwork Details
- Title: Debating Stool (Kawa Rigit)
- Date: 19th century
- Geography: Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River region
- Culture: Iatmul people
- Medium: Wood, paint, shell
- Dimensions: H. 39 1/2 × W. 17 1/4 × D. 14 3/4 in. (100.3 × 43.8 × 37.5 cm)
Other: 17 × 17 in. (43.2 × 43.2 cm) - Classification: Wood-Furniture
- Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Anonymous Gift, in memory of Rene d'Harnoncourt, 1968
- Object Number: 1978.412.1546
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
Audio
1745. Debating Stool (Kawa Rigit)
More Artwork
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.
Content Notice
The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.