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Dance wand, Kaidebu (Kaydebu, Kaidibe), 19th–early 20th century
Wood, pigment
75 x 28 x 3 cm (29 1/2 x 11 x 1 3/16 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.101

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "The design is a vortex of bird images, which relates to the kaidebu's function and symbolic significance. Kaidebu were used during the annual yam harvest feast at a circular dance of some thirty to forty men in ceremonial dress on the village square. While moving slowly in a row, each man held a kaidebu in his right hand (see Malinowski, 1964, pl. xiii and xiv; see also Benitez-Johannot, 2000: 206, fig. 109). By making a circular movement with the wrist, the movement of birds was suggested in reference to the spirits of ancestors. These were thought to return as birds from the realm of the dead during the harvest feast to take the souls of those who had died with them. The ornaments beside the grip are probably shaped in an analogy of prow and stern boards (tabuyo) of ceremonial canoes (Harry Beran, cited by Benitez-Johannot, 2000: 206). This example is comparable to one published by Beran (1980, fig. 103); see also Kaeppler, Kaufmann, and Newton, 1997, fig. 240." (Catalog #399, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 150.)

Related Keywords
Kaidibe Kaydebu Kaidebu wand Dance Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised Friede John Marcia Art Jolika Massim Northern Oceania Province Bay Milne Guinea New Sculpture pigment Wood 0709200406050542 A361016 L05.1.101 AOA