Papua New Guinea Shell Front Ornament Fofana Initiation Male Easten Highlands

This is a Beautiful Woven Body Ornament known as a Fofona from the Bena Bena Tribal People of the Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea, made from a person Leather Shoe. This Fofona is made of leather with hand sewn nassa shells by women and given to young men after their initiation, they are also held in the teeth as battle ornaments by the Big Men. Worn on the chest or sometimes the back, the fofona is an essential part of ceremonial decoration. What made these items valuable as bride price were the white cowrie shells which were valuable currency which had been traded up from the coast via the barter system, between a number of tribal groups before they finally made there way to the Highlands. Tribal groups in Papua New Guinea are very territorial and you could not simply leave your village and head to the coast, so the barter system was the way of introducing these mysterious and precious items to the community.

This item is woven with handmade string and colored with natural pigments. It is decorated with Nassa shells, and the two large Cowrie shells are sewn on each side.

This unique ornament would be a wonderful addition to your collection. COMES ON STAND Mid 20th Century Shows aging, fraying and their is torn piece in the front of the Fofona, but overall it is in good condition. 15" Tall on Stand Fofona 12" tall 7" wide 10" wide with Shells AT BACARA WE STAND BEHIND ALL OF OUR MERCHANDISE. YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR MAIN GOAL, AND WE THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AT THE WORLD OF BACARA. This item is in the category "Antiques\Ethnographic\Pacific Islands & Oceania".

The seller is "bacara-online" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Color: Multi-Color
• Material: Leather
• Original/Reproduction: Original

---