shield

Description:

The hard, scaled skin that once protected the New Guinea crocodile has been reshaped into a strong shield, body armor for a human being. It originates from the surrounding area of the Sepik River in Papua-New Guinea. Now the shield, in its turn, is protected from our hands by the thick glass walls of the showcase. A creation myth from the Sepik area tells us about the long march of the crocodiles: in the beginning there was nothing but water, but when the large crocodile opened its mouth, heaven was created from its upper jaw and earth from its lower jaw. The first human beings followed the trace of the crocodiles from the village of Gaikorobi. As they wandered along these crocodile traces the humans settled and created villages. Feces and scraps from food left behind became the origin of the water spirits. And because they once followed the crocodiles, people nowadays are living in many places along the river. Continue to showcase D 2

Location:

Papua New Guinea

Format:

image

Collections:

Museum of Ethnography

Content partner:

Museum of Ethnography

Availability:

Not specified