West Papua Artifacts

The figures on the bis poles represent the dead and makes it possible for the dead to enter the world of the ancestors which is known as Safan. The openwork of the tsjemen or penis is a symbol of fertility and power and usually projects from the uppermost figure.

Item Number

4-153-03

Item Number

4-152-03

OBJECT: Bisj
ARTIST: Soter Seita VILLAGE: Omandesep MATERIAL: wood, lime and red ochre
SIZE: 15.8'
DATE COLLECTED: 2003
COMMENTS: Made for feast October 2003. #1 Top father FANEP #2 Child in phallus ACHAR #3 Mama PARKASIMI #4 TAUMU female child #5 AREF grandmother #6 FUPAKANO grandmother

OBJECT: Bisj
ARTIST: Yudas Bakarwas VILLAGE: Omandesep
MATERIAL: Wood and lime
SIZE: 15.10' DATE COLLECTED: 2003
COMMENTS: Made for a feast October 2003. Had to wait until feast was finished and they brought to Agats. Top figure BISURE(father of Yudas) #2 YOMAT (mama) #3 Baynambi(uncle) #4 DAMPI(front figure) son. #5 BITEM (bottom figure back) son. #6 Bafom(bottom upside down) child.

Item Number

7-12-5

Item Number

7-12-7

OBJECT: Small Bisj
ARTIST: VILLAGE:
MATERIAL: Wood, Lime, red ochre and sago fiber
SIZE: 9.10' DATE COLLECTED:
COMMENTS:

OBJECT: Bisj
ARTIST: VILLAGE:
MATERIAL: Wood, lime, red ochre and sago fiber
SIZE: 11.10'
DATE COLLECTED:
COMMENTS:

Item Number

115-105b

Item Number

117-104

OBJECT: Bis Pole
ARTIST: Karel Emsey VILLAGE: Biwar Laut MATERIAL: Wood, lime, charcoal and red ochre
SIZE: 13.5' DATE COLLECTED: 2000
COMMENTS: Named for father 'Ambek ', made by Karel Emsey who was the son of the best carver in Biwar Laut

OBJECT: Bis Pole

ARTIST: Karel Emsey
VILLAGE: Biwar Laut MATERIAL: Wood, lime, charcoal and red ochre
SIZE: 13.5' DATE COLLECTED: 2000
COMMENTS: Named for father 'Ambek ', made by Karel Emsey who was the son of the best carver in Biwar Laut