Talipun Woven Bride Price Yangoru Area East Sepik Papua New Guinea

The Yangoru Boiken people live in the isolated southern slopes of the Prince Alexander Mountains in the East Sepik Province of Papuan New Guinea.

The Talipun or Talipoon is one of the most important types of traditional currency for the Yangoru Boiken people, it consists of a fibre mask attached to large sea shell.  This  finely woven mask is without the shell attached, the mask is on a custom made stand that allows it to float and be easily displayed on a table or shelf.  I find the Shells take away from the sculptural beauty of the mask .

The woven fibre masks, often come in different forms that represents important ancestral & or bush spirits that are specific to certain clans.  This mask has an ancestors face and a wood birds head attached to the top.  The shells are a pure wealth object.   These are used to pay for bride dowry’s or compensation payments for land disputes or other occasions where compensations must be paid.  They are still highly valued in the remote communities.

Beautiful old Talipun and Abelam Yam Masks  are highly sought by collectors and artist collectors who saw the great artistry in these woven sculptures.  When seen in a set of several masks together you can see how beautiful they look together ( see above photo of Abelam Wood Heads in a row)  I still have a few more beautiful old Talipun with & without the large shells. Please ask if you are interested .