Art of Papua New Guinea National Museum in Szczecin

The ensemble includes mostly polychrome wooden sculptures from the Sepik River in northern Papua New Guinea. The inhabitants of this area have created a unique, original art that grew out of their extensive and complex beliefs. In their worldview, the real world coexists with the supernatural, and the border between these two worlds is very fluid. Papuans live in constant fear of ghosts, demons and sorcerers, and seek support in their religion, which is based on an extremely developed ancestor worship. This cult arises from the conviction that the dead do not go into nothingness, but stay close and offer help and advice to their living relatives. Images of ancestors appear not only on cult items, but also decorate everyday objects. They give the inhabitants of the northern part of Papua New Guinea encouragement and self-confidence and the feeling that they are not defenseless and lonely in the face of the dangers of life.