**First Time At Auction**

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Marind / Marind-Anim people, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A rare example of a wood and seed covered bird headdress costume used during dema rituals. The wooden stork is entirely covered with red abrus and white job’s tears seeds that are affixed with resin Rituals were carried out with dramatic costumes and drums, reenacting cosmological stories about "demas," primeval beings (plants, animals, people). Dema costumes had attributes to identify the being – the long neck and bill represented a stork, and demas would also act as totems for different clans – some of which included coconut, wallaby, sago, and betel nut, and crocodile. The stork (Ndik-end) clan dancers wore this massive bird shaped panel on their shoulders / back of their head, their bodies covered with feathers and other wooden and seed covered panels. Size: 42" L x 25" W (106.7 cm x 63.5 cm); 25" H (63.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Reenacting stories of creation encouraged fertility among the men and women of the tribe. The Marind culture and population was drastically affected by Dutch colonization, and many traditions were considered taboo and outlawed, such as headhunting and ritualistic intercourse.

Please note that this item is heavy/oversized. Please inquire about shipping prior to bidding.

Provenance: private Hawaii collection, acquired 2000 to 2010

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#177461

Repaired, wings reattached. Some seeds reattached with adhesive, and some losses to seeds throughout. Stable pressure fissures to wood panel. Earthen and mineral deposits throughout. Seeds flaking off if handled. Please note the abrus seeds are highly toxic if consumed, we recommend displaying in a case.