|
||||
'Malagan' History
European contact produced huge social changes in New Ireland between 1850-1920. German colonisers relocated hill villages to the coast. 'Blackbirders' on European ships kidnapped men for plantation labour in Australia and Samoa. The colonisers forced New Irelanders into a money economy. They also introduced metal tools, which meant that carvers could make ‘malagan’ sculptures more easily. Together with the demand from art collectors overseas, this led to ‘malagans’ being sold rather than destroyed. This very early sculpture (right) was made before 1867, and is probably a prow ornament for a 'soul boat'; a canoe model displayed at memorial ceremonies. 'Malagan' CeremoniesNew Ireland people hold ‘malagan’ ceremonies primarily for funerals. Large ceremonies involve the whole clan. Working together, clan members make and dramatically display sculptures on a ‘malagan’ house. They exchange shell money, food and pigs and wear special ‘malagan’ masks in dance. Because so many people are needed to make the display and the feast, they may hold the final ceremony up to ten years after death. Click on the pictures below to learn more about some of the objects used in these ceremonies. In this section
|
