Dance Wand

Item number C377 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Data
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Description

Long rectangular light brown wood carving of a lizard with a notched tooth edge frame at either side and a handle at one end. Very bright blue along the sides with a black body and tail speckled with white and red, red limbs, and white feet. Three white-grey feather tassels attached on outer protrusions at each corner ankle. End below lizard's head is the handle and the bottom of the wand.

Narrative

According to Burnett, this figure came from the Banning people in New Ireland and was used as the "scorceror's principal implement in causing the death of a man or woman at the instigation of and in payment of a fee by an enemy". The victim is then expected to die unless he or his friends counter a larger fee. Women and children were not allowed at the ceremonies. However, according to C. Mayer, these dance wands originated in New Britain.