Artstyles of New Guinea Asmat Asmat art is strongly associated with head hunting with the best know art form being Bis poles. Made "famous" by Rockefeller who was eaten in the Asmat

1. ART STYLES OF
PAPUA NEW GUINEA

2. ASMAT
Probably best known due to Michael Rockefeller
Disappeared in 1961
Probably killed and Eaten by the Asmat tribe,
Otsjapen
About 70,000 people

4. Bis poles
Erected to honor the
Ancestors
Sculptures represent
specific ancestors in
stylized forms

5. Created as the focal point for
a memorial feast honoring
recently departed.
Each pole has a name.
Traditionally to remind
people to payback the death

6. Wooden sculptures
often had knees and
elbows close
together.
This position is
associated with
newly born and the
dead
Sculpture represent
the dead

8. Asmat legend has it
that the first being,
Fumeripits, was so
lonely that he carved
human like figures.
These figures came to
life when he beat his
drum.
Humans were once
wood and drums gave
life

10. Body mask
Used at funeral
ceremonies called Jipae

11. Asmat are well
known for their
Shields
It has become a
major cottage
industry

12. Headhunting and cannibalism were an important
aspect of the Asmat culture.
Taking a human head was proof of sexual prowess