Figure (Gra or Garra)

Unknown

early to mid-20th century · Wood, paint · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

In former times, the focus of artistic and religious life among the Bahinemo people of the Hunstein mountains south of the middle Sepik River was the men’s ceremonial house, in which initiation and other rites took place and sacred objects, collectively called gra or garra, were kept. Bahinemo artists created two distinct forms of hook figures: flat, mask-like panels with stylized human faces bracketed by hook-shaped forms and tall slender images, intended to be seen in profile, consisting of a series of concentric hooks surrounding a central projection. Mask-like forms were associated, broadly, with forest spirits, while the slender profile images were connected with water spirits, their curving hooks identified, in some cases, as catfish whiskers. Like the hook figures (yipwon) of the Yimam people, Bahinemo hook images formerly served as hunting helpers, their supernatural powers assisting in the capture of game. They also played a role in male initiation ceremonies, in which they were carried by initiated men during dances.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early to mid-20th century

Medium

Wood, paint

Culture

Bahinemo people

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

Gift of Gertrud A. Mellon, 1976