IDNO

T.132515.MST

Description

On Strathern's listing: Woman met in forest who had been collecting sticks (or stalks) to make ‘rope’ noinai for men’s apron etc (wøny, mbal, mbal kupin and wal kupin). Noinai is a plant said to be good for making the yarn or string (Pidgin rop) that women use in making men’s wig coverings, aprons, or women’s fine netbags. Found in the forest. Other more ordinary plants for making ‘rope’ are found nearer to settled areas.

Place

Oceania Melanesia; Papua New Guinea; Western Highlands Province; Mt. Hagen; Kelua

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Photographer

Strathern, Marilyn (later Prof., Dame)

Collector / Expedition

Date

14 August 1965

Collection Name

Strathern Collection

Source

Strathern, Marilyn (Prof., Dame)

Format

Colour Transparency

Primary Documentation

Other Information

T.132513.MST - T.132531.MST were identified by Marilyn Strathern as Set 31.

Related Archive: Marilyn Strathern lists for this series “Climbing Mt. Hagen (from Kelua).” [Strathern's word document file]

Context: mbal kupin (omb) = a very fine apron worn by men in dance (MS word file; see description of object MAA 1967.32). [Strathern's Glossary word document, JD 4/24/2017]

Context: mbal = apron (Melpa). [Strathern's Glossary word document, JD 4/24/2017]

Related Object: MAA 1967.32 "Man's ceremonial apron. A new apron, mbal, used only once at a dance for a moka prestation. It is called mbal kupin omb, kupin referring to the fine thread with which it is knitted, and omb to its 'handles' - the way in which it is finished off in a semi-circle at the two ends. Part of the thread has been twisted with marsupial fur, and part dyed in blue dye. These are regarded as very laborious to make, and a man whose wife has not the skill or patience to knit one may have to hire such an apron from another man or persuade a woman to sell one (worth up to A£10). Ceremonial regalia is incomplete without a proper apron, and a man will hesitate to dance if he has not got one - even if he has feathers and everything else. This apron is c. 18" wide and 8'6" long; it is tucked double over the bark belt, and should sweep the ground as the men dance." From Buk, Mount Hagen Area. Donated by A.M. and A.J. Strathern, 1967. [JD 4/25/2017]

Context: noinai = plant said to be good for making the yarn or string (Pidgin term is rop) that women use in making men’s wig coverings, aprons, or women’s fine netbags; found in the forest. Other more ordinary plants for making ‘rope’ are found nearer to settled areas. [Strathern's Glossary word document, JD 4/25/2017]

Context: rop = Pidgin term for yarn or string that women use in making men’s wig coverings, aprons, or women’s fine netbags. Also for vine or liana or pliant stem from which strips are pulled to be made into (fibre) twine or string. [Strathern's Glossary word document, JD 5/3/2017]

Context: wal = general term for netting, (which is used especially for netbags) (see description of object MAA 1967.33 A-C)). [Strathern's Glossary word document, JD 4/26/2017]

Context: wal kupin = Woman's fine netbag. A smallish netbag made of fine thread, which is regarded as attractive - it is worn on special occasions, especially by young girls when they are out visiting etc. It is carried by a bride at her wedding. (see description of object MAA 1967.47) (Melpa). [Strathern's Glossary word document, JD 4/18/2017]

Context: wal wøny = or omb wøny; Netted head covering (see for example description of object MAA 1967.2 and 1967.42). [Strathern's Glossary word document, JD 4/26/2017]

Context: wøny = hair cover (Melpa). [Strathern's Glossary word document, JD 4/26/2017]

Context: wal wøny = or omb wøny; Netted head covering (see for example description of object MAA 1967.2 and 1967.42). [Strathern's Glossary word document, JD 4/18/2017]

Related Object: MAA 1967.2 "Man's net covering for wig. A finely knitted net covering, made in the fashion of ceremonial net aprons, with marsupial fur interwoven in decorative bands. It has a blue-dyed thread as well as a natural coloured thread. (The blue dye is a vegetable dye, made from the leaves of a small shrub which are squeezed and then heated)." From Buk, Mount Hagen Area. Donated by A.M. and A.J. Strathern, 1967. [JD 4/25/2017]

A grant from the Wenner-Gren Foundation Historical Archives Program supported the documentation and preservation of the Strathern photographic collection. [JD 6/11/2017]