Title
Cult hook
Year/Period
Early-mid 20th century
Region
Karawari river, Papua New Guinea
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 147.5 x 33 cm
Accession No.
W-0519
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. A.C. Galstawn
The hook at the top represents a bird's beak, while the other rib-like structures represent the ribs of a spirit. Sometimes the hook is called 'Kamanggabi' after this spirit.Cult hooks represent spirits and are generally mounted on walls or suspended from roof beams in 'haus tambarans' (meeting huts) or spirit houses. They are adorned with items of cultural or spiritual significance. Hooks which represent powerful supernatural beings could be consulted before embarking on a raid or hunting expedition.
