Papua New Guinea

BETEL NUT MORTAR, Lower Sepik River, Papua New Guinea

BETEL NUT MORTAR, Lower Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
BETEL NUT MORTAR, Lower Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
BETEL NUT MORTAR, Lower Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
BETEL NUT MORTAR, Lower Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
BETEL NUT MORTAR, Lower Sepik River, Papua New Guinea

BETEL NUT MORTAR, Lower Sepik River, Papua New Guinea

Lower Sepik River, Papua New Guinea. These are small bowls used to crush the betel nut, together with a bean-like plant and white lime. Older people who have lost their teeth need this to be able to chew the betel nut, a mild drug. Two ancestor heads support the small bowl which is used to crush the betel nut into a paste personal item, usually carried in a small bag.

Size: 12.4 cm (length) 7 cm (width) 5.2 cm (depth).


BETEL NUT MORTAR, Lower Sepik River, Papua New Guinea