Tall carved and painted board, with some areas cut-out. Large white face at top has crescent-shaped eyes, a small open mouth showing even white teeth, and a protruding nose that attaches to the board's upper-midpoint. Below the face are carvings of birds, lizards, faces, and swirling motifs in white, orange, rust-red and yellow. Base of object is rounded with a large pointed protrusion at bottom centre. Back of piece is unpainted.

• History Of Use

  Traditionally created by the Sawos people, malu are traded to the neighboring Iatmul people who use them in the context of male initiation ceremonies. If a boy died during the initiation process, the malu was displayed to the village women to indicate a death had occurred. The complex imagery of this carving incorporates bird, mammal, and insect forms, many of which represent totemic species.

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• Type of Item board
• Culture Iatmul
• Material garamut wood, paint
• Measurements height 265.0 cm, width 82.6 cm, depth 7.0 cm (overall)

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• Creator Kaua Gita
• Previous Owner Neil B. Cole
• Received from Neil B. Cole

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• Made in Korogo

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• Creation Date during 2011
• Ownership Date before December 2, 2014
• Acquisition Date on December 2, 2014

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• Condition good
• Accession Number 3091/0013