75. The malagan of New Ireland
In the northern half of New Ireland and the nearby islands, the death of an important member of the community sets off a cycle of funerary rites called malagan, which finishes some years after his death. The final ceremony with dances and gift distribution culminates in the exhibition of sculptures made for the occasion. Once they have been viewed, the sculptures are destroyed or left to rot.
© 2015 Musée d'ethnographie, Genève
Ville de Genève, Département de la culture et du sport