Long Yam, Abelam, New Guinea Art, Oceanic Art, South Pacific Artifacts, Tribal Art
When the Abelam grow the coveted long yam it is the ancestral spirits that are considered responsible for their success. Thus when they are publicly displayed after a successful harvest these yams are transformed into these very same spirits. The mischievous old men who have mastered the magic to grow the long yam pride themselves in turning out anatomically correct specimens.