Artwork Information

The Ramu River is in the Madang province of New Guinea, and the tribes of this area are famous for their carvings. This mask possibly symbolizes Ndaro, a supernatural being. It is not an actual fighting shield but a showpiece and trophy intended to look like a used shield. The associated language group of this area are the Banaro people, who reach into the Upper Kerim river also. (Te Moananui a Kiwa, 2005)