Tiki Finds - Collecting Tiki

T Tikiwahine Tiki Socialite Victoria, BC Joined: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 3295	T Tikiwahine Posted posted on Mon, Aug 21, 2006 4:40 PM I'd say it's definitely a PNG carving, and it looks quite old. "Tribes along the Sepik river in Papua New Guinea have a special relationship with crocodiles - a devotion to them reflected in carvings, paintings and "coming of age" ceremonies." Their cultural links with the Sepik river are symbolized in many of their ancient and spiritual rituals, such as the manhood initiation. This requires painful carving of flesh on the backs of young men with razor blades. Patterns are that of a crocodile lying on the banks of the river. My little carving seems to have these 'crocodile skin' patterns in addition to two crocodile heads, so I would say it could very well be from the Sepik region.

I'd say it's definitely a PNG carving, and it looks quite old.

"Tribes along the Sepik river in Papua New Guinea have a special relationship with crocodiles - a devotion to them reflected in carvings, paintings and "coming of age" ceremonies."

Their cultural links with the Sepik river are symbolized in many of their ancient and spiritual rituals, such as the manhood initiation. This requires painful carving of flesh on the backs of young men with razor blades. Patterns are that of a crocodile lying on the banks of the river.

My little carving seems to have these 'crocodile skin' patterns in addition to two crocodile heads, so I would say it could very well be from the Sepik region.

Post #250097 by Tikiwahine on Mon, Aug 21, 2006 4:40 PM