RT62 Rare Gogodala Cult Board Papuan Gulf

$375.00

Item #                 .RT62

Description      .An interesting Cult Board from the Gogodala people who live in the swamp and grass plain near the Aramia River in the western part of the Gulf of Papua. Their villages are built on small hills or ridges which become islands in the wet season. Gogodala art forms are different from the rest of the Gulf as the designs are painted rather than carved using black, white, red and yellow clays which are mixed with plant juices and a tree resin to make water resistant paints. This board appears to depict a mythical creature about to devour a bird. Most of the Gogodala communities converted to Christianity starting in the 1930s. As their art form was so closely tied to their Aida cult the destruction of their old beliefs led to almost total destruction of their art form.

Size                      .84cm * 20cm  (33″ * 8″)

Price                    USD$375