Ambunti Mountains (Waskuk Hills), East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

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Figure 1: Mindja.

Two groups live on and around the Ambunti Mountains: the Kwoma and the Nukuma. They are often incorrectly referred to collectively as the Waskuk or Washkuk.

Figure 2: Nogwi figure.

Both cultures are yam-based, unlike the sago-based cultures of the Middle Sepik. The annual yam cult cycle uses three terms to refer to the complex rituals and to the objects and social groups associated with them. Yina, mindja and nogwi carvings are linked with their respective ceremonies which take place in the Haus Tambarans after the yam harvest. Pottery is also made and used during yam cult rituals.

Figure 3: Yina.

See also:

• Upper Sepik River Shields in our Guide to Artifacts

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Photographs, text and maps copyright © Carolyn Leigh, 1996-2010. All rights reserved.
http://www.art-pacific.com/artifacts/nuguinea/sepikriv/sepikupp/waskuk.htm
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Artifacts on this site are collected in the field by my husband, Ron Perry. I take the photographs, do the html, text and maps. More background in Who We Are. Art-Pacific has been on the WWW since 1996. We hope you enjoy our New Guinea tribal art and Indonesian folk art as much as we do. Carolyn Leigh, P.O. Box 85284, Tucson, AZ 85754-5284 USA, Art-Pacific at http://www.art-pacific.com/