HUMAN BONE, FEATHERS, SHELL NOSE RING, FIBER, SEEDS
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HUMAN ANCESTOR SKULL #11 |
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HUMAN BONE, FEATHERS, SHELL NOSE RING, FIBER, SEEDS |
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FEATHERS, SEEDS, AND CARVED SEA SHELL NOSE RINGS TO THEIR DECEASED ANCESTOR'S SKULLS. The natural environment has been a major factor affecting the Asmat, as their culture and way of life are heavily dependent on the rich natural resources found in their forests, rivers, and seas. The Asmat mainly subsist on starch from the sago palm (Metroxylon sagu), fish, forest game, and other items gathered from their forests and waters. Materials for canoes, dwellings, and woodcarvings are also all gathered locally, and thus their culture and biodiversity are intertwined. Due to the daily flooding which occurs in many parts of their land, Asmat dwellings have typically been built two or more meters above the ground, raised on wooden posts. In some inland regions, the Asmat have lived in tree houses, sometimes as high as 25 meters from the ground. The Asmat have traditionally placed great emphasis on the veneration of ancestors, particularly those who were accomplished warriors. Asmat art, most noticeably elaborate, stylized wood carving, is designed to honour ancestors. Many Asmat artifacts have been collected by the world's museums, among the most notable of which are those found in the Michael C. Rockefeller Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam. ANCESTOR SKULLS ARE COLLECTED AND VENERATED TO REMEMBER DECEASED FAMILY MEMBERS. THE IFUGAO COLLECT BONES OF DEAD RELATIVES; WRAP THEM IN TRIBAL TEXTILES, AND STORE THEM IN THE RAFTERS UNDER THEIR HUTS. HUMAN SKULLS AND SKULL CAPS FROM NEPAL ARE RITUAL OFFERTORY VESSELS THAT ARE USED AS DRINKING CUPS IN TIBETAN BUDDHIST CEREMONIES. |
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