Malu Board Item Number: 3091/13 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
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.
Item History
- Made by Kaua Gita (Maker) in Korogo, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea during 2011
- Owned by Neil B. Cole before December 2, 2014
- Received from Neil B. Cole (Donor) on December 2, 2014
What
- Name
- Malu Board
- Identification Number
- 3091/13
- Type of Item
- board
- Material
- garamut wood and paint
- Overall
- height 265.0 cm, width 82.6 cm, depth 7.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Iatmul
- Creator
- Kaua Gita (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Neil B. Cole
- Received from
- Neil B. Cole (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Korogo, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea
When
- Creation Date
- during 2011
- Ownership Date
- before December 2, 2014
- Acquisition Date
- on December 2, 2014
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 3091/0013