Figure (Nggwalndu)
The Abelam people of the Prince Alexander Mountains north of the Sepik River practice perhaps the longest and most spectacular initiation cycle of any New Guinea people. Beginning in childhood, each Abelam male must pass through eight separate initiation rites over the course of twenty to thirty years, before he is a fully initiated man. Each successive ritual requires both a physical ordeal and the viewing of increasingly elaborate displays of sacred objects in specially constructed chambers within the men’s ceremonial house. This process continues until the final rites, in which the initiate is shown the largest and most sacred of all displays—the brilliantly painted figures and other images portraying the powerful clan spirits called nggwalndu. The largest nggwalndu images are used during this final ritual. Although nggwalndu figures are impressive works of sculpture, to the
Abelam, their efficacy lies in the bright polychrome paints applied to their surfaces. For the Abelam, paint is a magical substance that endows the figures with supernatural power and beauty. In creating their displays, artists strive to achieve a visual magnificence that will overwhelm the viewer. This monumental nggwalndu figure, impressive even now, must have been awe-inspiring when freshly painted and set amidst the scores of brilliantly colored paintings and figures that lined the initiation chamber, which would have been lit by the flickering fire.
Abelam, their efficacy lies in the bright polychrome paints applied to their surfaces. For the Abelam, paint is a magical substance that endows the figures with supernatural power and beauty. In creating their displays, artists strive to achieve a visual magnificence that will overwhelm the viewer. This monumental nggwalndu figure, impressive even now, must have been awe-inspiring when freshly painted and set amidst the scores of brilliantly colored paintings and figures that lined the initiation chamber, which would have been lit by the flickering fire.
Artwork Details
- Title: Figure (Nggwalndu)
- Date: 19th–early 20th century
- Geography: Papua New Guinea, Prince Alexander Mountains, Middle Sepik River region
- Culture: Abelam people
- Medium: Wood, paint
- Dimensions: H. 10 ft. 1 in. × W. 12 in. × D. 14 in. (307.3 × 30.5 × 35.6 cm)
- Classification: Wood-Sculpture
- Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Purchase, Nelson A. Rockefeller Gift, 1965
- Object Number: 1978.412.871
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Abelam people
19th–early 20th century
Sawos people
19th century
Sawos people
19th century or earlier
Yessan-Mayo people
19th–early 20th century
Angoram, Moim (?)
late 19th–early 20th century
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 complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.