Large 140cm Vintage Papua New Guinea Iatmul Mwai Sepik River Region Spirit Flute

Large 140cm Vintage Papua New Guinea Iatmul Mwai Sepik River Region Spirit Flute. An exceptional hand crafted piece having a bamboo stem leading up to a beautifully ornate ancestor figure kneeling below a larger mythical carving. Besides some light age related wear the piece is in a good clean condition and is free from any major faults or defects. Flutes are generally used in pairs on ceremonial and ritual occasions, initiations and to ward off evil spirits. The sound they make is considered to be the voice of clan spirits and they can only be played by initiated men.

Women, children, and uninitiated men are not allowed to see the flutes being played. The images atop the flutes are ancestor figures and clan totems.

The flute is considered a sacred instrument. Flutes in Papua New Guinea are usually much larger than western flutes, made out of lengths of hollow bamboo.

If you have any questions please message me. This item is in the category "Antiques\Ethnographic Antiques\Oceanian/Australasian". The seller is "retrorevivaluk" and is located in this country: GB. This item can be shipped to United Kingdom.

---