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Kakame figure

Morovi
Kakame figure
 1991

Medium
earth pigments on wood, fibre rope

Measurements
77.0 × 218.5 × 10.0 cm

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented through the NGV Foundation by Ed and Alice-Anne Boylan, Fellows, 2004
© the artist

Reproduction requests

Gallery location
Not on display

Artwork Details

Place/s of Execution
Kinomere village, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea

Accession Number
2004.351

Department
Pacific Art

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation

Physical description
These figures are known as Kakame to most of the villagers but their real name, kept secret by the elders is Kaiamunu, the most powerful spirit of the Papua gulf area. These figures are kept covered in the Venai (the initiated men's long house). The elders communicate with Kaiamunu through this figure and are given knowledge of when or how to plant gardens, go to war, undertake trading missions etc. On receiving this information, the elders present Kaiamunu with a small offering of food, placed at the feet of the figure. This animated figure is carved in the form of a zoomorphic figure.

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