Washkuk Hills, Upper Sepik River< PNG

This is a very old pottery whistle; they are very rare (the only one I have ever collected ), and used as part of the Mindja ceremony. It is only used inside the Men’s House and said to be the voice of the spirits. The main face is very similar to pottery figures used in the Kwoma YINA ceremony, but much more elaborate and the body of the flute is covered in motifs relating to the powerful crocodile spirit.