What: A portrait skull made by the Iatmul people of Papua New Guinea, dating to the first half of the 20th century.
Where you can find it: On exhibit in “Thoughts, Things, and Theories ... What Is Culture?” at the Mathers Museum of World Cultures, 416 N. Indiana Ave.
Why you should care: It was kept in a ceremonial house as a sign of respect for the dead and used to honor the living in ceremonies associated with major life events. The portrait skull of an individual first appears publicly at a ceremony honoring that person, held some time after his or her death. In this ceremony, the skull is placed upon a figure modeled from palm fiber and other organic materials, which sits on a swinging platform constructed in the dwelling house of the deceased. During the course of a day and night, male relatives from both sides of his family – members of his father’s clan, to which he belonged, and of his mother’s clan – take turns honoring the man, by singing songs about his life. This performance is presented to the women, who serve as an audience, and takes on a competitive flavor as the two sides of the family attempt to outdo each other in the exuberance of their songs and music.
