Mimika

The Mimika, also known as the Kamoro, are a people who inhabit the southwestern coastal region of New Guinea, between the Vogelkop Peninsula and Frederik Hendrik Island. Their primary art form is carving, which is closely tied to rituals, with human figures being the most common subject. These figures are typically depicted standing with slender, slightly flexed limbs, hands at chest level or under the chin, and a cylindrical head with minimal features. Incised designs, often featuring a pointed oval symbolizing birth and life, are used to decorate these carvings.1

The Mimika also create tall funerary memorial poles, which usually feature a vertical series of figures. The uppermost figure often holds a large, openwork triangular panel carved with standard designs. Larger-than-life figures of pregnant women, used in fertility rites, are also displayed during ceremonies celebrating the creation of the cosmos. Masks are made of netting, typically conical or hood-like, and are attached to cane epaulets and chest bands. Painting and the decoration of everyday objects are less common among the Mimika.1