Papuan Gulf Bullroarers-New Guinea Art-Oceanic Art
Because of their similar form and design, one might make the mistake of thinking Papuan Gulf bullroars are the little brother to the larger and more important Gope spirit boards. In fact, it is the opposite with the bullroarer holding more spiritual weight than the gope. Here are a few lines from an essay Thomas Schultze-Westrum wrote on Papuan Gulf bullroarers:
Bullroarers are termed kaiaímunu in the eastern Delta region by the Urama, Gope and Era (-Kipaia) language subgroups/ethnic districts. Only the small specimens, mostly without decorations, are actually swung to make the characteristic sound. The majority of larger specimens are the “mothers” of the small ones. They are wrapped (usually) in bundles of pandanus leaves and stored on the floor behind the row of kópe boards in the skull shrine (áwae). These mothers are very powerful. The older a bullroarer, the more it possesses magical power (ímunu) of the highest quality. The mothers can be handled only by some old men in secrecy and never are taken out from the ceremonial longhouse
These three were all field collected by Schultze-Westrum in 1966 and are ex. Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede. They date to the late 19th century and left is 16 ½” (41.9 cm), middle is 27 7/8” (70.7 cm) and right is 14 ½” (36.7 cm) in height. Left is $3800, middle is $4800 and right is $3500.