Subject: kumatola warrior chief

Culture: Trobriand Islander / Massim

Setting: Trobriand Islands late 19th - mid 20th c

Object: shields = kuilumuju, vai ova, kaisikuakua

Museum of Fine Arts > Arts of Oceania *

"Shield Papua New Guinea (Trobriand Islands) 20th century Wood and pigment

The art of the Trobriand Islands is mostly two-dimensional,

with painted or carved designs often covering an object's entire surface.

The patterns on all Trobriand shields are similar and have specific meanings.

Here, the small pronged forms are stars, the heads on the sides at top are fish,

and the scrollwork motifs at bottom center represent the heads and beaks of frigate birds.

Curving bands beside the birds symbolize rainbows.

The large, T-shaped design in the top center

represents a turtle-shell spatula that was an important trade item.

Together, these symbols are believed to ward off evil,

reinforcing the protective function of the shield." ...