This article was first published in the newsletter of Galleries Primitive, 174 Jersey Road Woollahra
The art of the Highlands people of New Guinea lacks the reputation of Sepik or Gulf art. Highland life centered around warfare and survival from starvation, so, most ornamentation is found in body- painting, attire, head-dress and weapons.
We are, for example, familiar with the famous "Hagen" axes. The better examples of these are no longer made as they are constructed for a new purpose, as souvenirs for tourists, not as weapons.
Still commonly used and well-made, however, are the bows and arrows used in hunting and carried as symbols of manhood and courage.
The following are six basic arrow types used by the Bena Bena people of the Eastern Highlands. The heads of these arrows are usually about 14 inches long and protrude from a straight, bamboo- like wild grass shaft, making their entire length approximately 48 inches. The wooden points are sharpened and harden- ed by fire. The arrows are not feathered.
These arrows are used for accurate, long-distance shooting, but have the dis- advantage of being easy to remove and, unless a vital spot is struck, only serve to bring the victim down. In battles, armies face each other at a short distance, fire a brief barrage of arrows and spears, then retreat posthaste.
The most common arrow. Often the barbs are just slight notches in the wood. Seikogoja covers the range between the plain streamlined Mageiafa and the ornate barbed Menumuhi arrow types.
A ceremonial arrow type, heavily barbed with the barbs following definite patterns. Usually the carved wooden head is painted and elaborately plaited with grass
This type is used for special revenges (PEIBEK) dances, (SING-SING) and as gifts. The following practice, though un- common to-day, was told to the author. In a case of adultery, the irate husband usually punishes the wife. However, if he wishes to take revenge on his wife's lover, he must first invite his rival to shoot him in the leg with this type of arrow. This done, the husband is free to deal with the lover at his own leisure.
Designed to lose its tip on entering the victim. The tip is often a continuation of the rest of the arrow head, with a narrow, fragile neck about one inch down. It may be prepared by dipping in excrement before use or part of a casso- wary bone may be attached. When the arrow is pulled from a victim and it is seen that the tip has become detached, the victim is considered dead, even though this may take a few days. Because of this, the government often has difficulty in finding such victims as their relatives would prefer them to die in their own village, rather than in a government hospital.
Made of split bamboo or, more recently, strands of wire. This arrow is mainly used for hunting birds, such as the bird of paradise.
This arrow has a wide curved bamboo head, with sharp edges. The curve holds the wound open to induce profuse bleeding. It is used mainly in the pig hunt as the finishing arrow.
Albert Mispel