Kwoma

people

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June 30, 2026

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The Kwoma are a Papuan people residing in the Sepik district of New Guinea. They also refer to their language as Kwoma. The Kwoma are known for their artistic traditions, particularly in relation to their yam cults and ceremonial houses. These houses, similar to those of the Abelam, are supported by posts and feature carved ridgepoles and gable finials depicting mythical figures, humans, and animals. Their ceilings are adorned with bark paintings featuring semiabstract designs that illustrate myths and legends. The Kwoma also utilize similar designs on pottery and daggers made from human bones. Their primary non-architectural carvings include yena (human heads), mindja (long boardlike carvings), and nogwi (figures of women), all created for their yam cult rituals. These carvings are characterized by a simple, massive style with distinct facial features.1

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Oceanic art and architecture
The Sepik River regions
The most productive were the Kwoma. Like the Abelam, they celebrated yam cults in ceremonial houses that were basically roofs supported on posts, without walls. The ridgepoles of the houses were carved with mythical characters, human and animal. The ceilings were covered with bark paintings with semiabstract designs recalling characters…
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The most productive were the Kwoma. Like the Abelam, they celebrated yam cults in ceremonial houses that were basically roofs supported on posts, without walls. The ridgepoles of the houses were carved with mythical characters, human and animal. The ceilings were covered with bark paintings with semiabstract designs recalling characters…
Read More

Oceanic art and architecture
Artist and society
…large architectural carving among the Kwoma, and a whole team may paint one of the huge gables of the Abelam. Individuals, however, may carve major sacred objects when they are inspired by dreams or induced visions. These interventions by the supernatural world can be quite common: if work goes badly,…
Read More
…large architectural carving among the Kwoma, and a whole team may paint one of the huge gables of the Abelam. Individuals, however, may carve major sacred objects when they are inspired by dreams or induced visions. These interventions by the supernatural world can be quite common: if work goes badly,…
Read More