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Shield, Kolkol or Watumbiyi, 20th century
Wood, fiber, and rattan handle; evidence of arrow damage
123 cm (48 7/16 in.)

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "The shield is "carried from the shoulder by a vine sling, knotted through holes across the rear. It hangs down the bearer's side, protecting head, flank and upper legs, leaving both hands free to draw a bow" (Sillitoe, 1988: 163a). For descriptions on manipulating the shield during warfare and for the process of manufacture, see Sillitoe, 1988. These shields may also be used as a door slat or even as a bed; when not in use, they are stored below the gable roof of the house (ibid., 163b). The Wola paint both anthropomorphic and "abstract" designs on their shields (Sillitoe, 1988: 165a and 166). Informants unanimously and "unhesitatingly identified the former as representations of men." The latter, however, though not seen as human, also contain anthropomorphic elements (ibid., 165b). Shield designs have a two-way function. On the one hand, they are meant to frighten the enemy and even insult him. On the other hand, the "shield designs prompt the Wola to heed their revenge obligation" (Sillitoe, 1980: 497). If the human figure is painted white-the color of mourning-it would indicate "that they were in mourning and had a revenge debt to pay, that they were out to kill one of the enemy to redress the balance" (ibid., 496). If the human figure is painted red, this would indicate the shield bearer's people had been the last to kill and were under no revenge obligation. The figure on the shield may also relate to the image of the Yupin (see pl. 589 and 590). See also Boylan and North, 1997: 79; and Moriarty, 1973: 30 for another example of a shield with a stylized human figure design. See Menter, 2003: 194 for a shield from Ialibu (Jalibu), which, as Menter suggests, shows a combination of the human figure design as found on Wola shields and the general shape of the Melpa shields from the Central Highlands. I have also seen several shields with similar figures in Australian collections." (Catalog #593, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 192.)

Related Keywords
Watumbiyi or Kolkol Shield Art Jolika speakers language Mendi people Wola Oceania Province Highlands Southern Guinea New Armor Arms damage arrow evidence handle rattan fiber Wood 0308200711540062 A383362 AOA