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Carving a Culture: The Asmat Creation Story

The display depicts a mannequin in an Asmat costume playing a hand drum in a thatched hut. Around him are wooden statues of men. In front is a flipbook about the Asmat creation story.

The Asmat Creation Story

Creation Story

Fumeripits was a mighty hunter- but he was all alone - he wanted company.

He drew the outline of a je on the ground and it sprang into existence completely built.

Fumeripits was lonely. He carved wooden figures, but they could not talk to him, so he carved a drum.

Fumeripits gathered the wooden figures around him and began to play the drum.

After some time, the wooden figures came to life and danced the "quavering knee" dance Fumeripits was happy.

The wooden figures came to life and became the Asmat people.

Fumeripits would go on to have many other adventures.

Carved wooden shield with an ancestral figure at the top with two tassels around the neck and on the sides. The carved design is decorated with black, white, and red pigment.

Shield

Wood and sago leaf fibers

This example shows the back of the shield. Note the carving at the top. The shield was believed to be an entity with power, so the whole thing was treated with respect, not just the front.

The Downing Collection of Asmat Art

2001.10.588 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology 

Carved wooden spear with barbs with carved panel center.

Spear

Wood

Spear used for hunting and warfare; note the barbs on the tip and the carved wavy design.

The Downing Collection of Asmat Art

2001.10.255 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology 

Darked brown carved wooden male figure.

Ancestor Figure 

Wood

Male ancestor figure with his hands on his hips

The Downing Collection of Asmat Art

2001.10.760 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology 

Carved wooden female figure crouched with elbows resting on kneesAncestor Figure 

Wood and leaf fibers

Female ancestor figure with sago leaf necklace, bracelets, and anklets

The Downing Collection of Asmat Art

2001.10.758 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology 

Carved wooden drum which has a handle with a hornbill and snake design.Drum 

Wood

Drum carved from a section of a tree trunk and covered with a reptile skin drumhead

The Downing Collection of Asmat Art

2001.10.324 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology 

Small bowl with a human head carved on either end. The side is covered with red pigment.Paint Bowl 

Wood

Bowl used to hold pigments for painting ritual objects.

The Downing Collection of Asmat Art

2001.10.172 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology 

Male ancestor figure wearing vest and armbands is standing on a carving of a mouth. Small head carved sitting on top of a carved bird’s head. Ancestor Figure

Wood

Male ancestor figure painted with lime and red ochre

The Downing Collection of Asmat Art

2001.10.280 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology 

Pregnant female ancestor figure.

Ancestor Figure

Wood

Female and pregnant ancestor figure

The Downing Collection of Asmat Art

2001.10.755 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology 

Carved wooden male ancestor. Its hands are on its neck and has a hornbill bird’s head on the chest

Ancestor Figure

Male ancestor figure with animal figures incorporated into his body

The Downing Collection of Asmat Art

 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology 

Wood carved large shield with intricate geometric designs with tassels on the side. Human figure sits on the top. Red, white, and black pigment used to decorate carvings

Shield

Wood and sago leaf fibers

Shields were defensive armaments that incorporated symbolic designs

The Downing Collection of Asmat Art

2001.10.460 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

 

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