We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Kund gale (effigy)

mid 20th century
collected 1965

Artist

Ngunts

Papua New Guinea

Alternate image of Kund gale (effigy) by Ngunts
Alternate image of Kund gale (effigy) by Ngunts

  • Details

    Other Title
    Figure
    Place where the work was made
    Anglimp-South Waghi District → Jiwaka Province → Papua New Guinea
    Cultural origin
    Wahgi people
    Dates
    mid 20th century
    collected 1965
    Media categories
    Mixed media , Ceremonial object
    Materials used
    wood, bamboo, machine-wove cotton fabric, looped synthetic yarn, plant fibre string, marsupial fur, mammalian skin, coix seeds (Coix lacryma-jobi), feather shaft, gold-lipped oyster shell (Pinctada maxima), cone shell (Conus), parrot feather, Lesser Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), cassowary feathers (Casuarius), red and yellow synthetic pigments, 2 safety pins, printed paper
    Dimensions
    overall 207.0 x 38.0 x 24.0 cm; figure (without headdress) 100.0 cm height
    Credit
    Gift of Stan Moriarty 1977
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    818.1979
    Copyright
    © Wahgi people, under the endorsement of the Pacific Islands Museums Association's (PIMA) Code of Ethics

    Reproduction requests

    Artist information
    Ngunts

    Works in the collection

    1

    Share

  • About

    Constructed from an astounding array of natural and manufactured materials, this 'kund gale' (effigy) is dressed in the ceremonial attire of a Wahgi male dancer. It is replete with 'konzap kine', a traditional apron decorated with pearlshells. Made by men, the 'kund gale' is used only during the major pig festival called 'konggar' – an extended ritual cycle held once in a generation. Over a period of years, rites are performed, pigs reared, and ceremonial structures built. During the final days of celebration the correct 'bilas' (body decoration) are worn, including bird of paradise plumes.

    On the day before the climax of the festival, when hundreds of pigs are killed and pork distributed to family and exchange partners, men perform 'trampling the fence'. This involves rushing onto the ceremonial ground in a display of martial force with one dancer carrying the 'kund gale' mounted on a pole above his head.

    [Exhibition text for 'Plumes and pearlshells: art of the New Guinea highlands', AGNSW, 2014]

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 1 exhibition

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 2 publications

    • Natalie Wilson (Editor), Plumes and pearlshells: art of the New Guinea highlands, Sydney, 2014, front cover (colour illus., detail), 141 (colour illus.), 163. cat.no. 83

    • Natalie Wilson, Look, 'A myriad of artforms: rare and beautiful objects from the highlands of New Guinea', pg. 24-28, Sydney, May 2014, front cover (colour illus., detail), 11 (colour illus.), 27.