British Museum

'Throwing knives from the 19th century'

Mostly made with iron, copper and vegetable fibre.

Some of are designed to be a weapon but others are not.

Not much is known about these knives and it still remains obscure but they were to suggest a great wealth of significance.

These throwing knives are personal possessions and are referred to by their owners.

When understanding the variety of forms, it may help to perceive each one as in some respects of human image.

'Backrest from Democratic Republic of Congo in the 19th century'

Made with wood overlaid and copper wire.

It was placed behind men's benches but those with metal overlay were restricted to chiefs.

'Hat from Democratic Republic of Congo, late 19th century'

'Painting by Charinda, 2002'

Charinda was born in south Tanzania who studied Tingatinga painting in Oyster Bay, Dar es Salaam.

His paintings has a educational message by drawing the village with stories.

This painting shows women wearing kangas

(which is a colorful cotton fabric usually worn by women)

in Tanzanian villages that expresses the kanga influence in Swahili society.

'Carved post from a Iatmul men's cult house about 1970-1995'

Iatmul people who live in Papua New Guinea is a society where male power is massive by having the emphasize on male warfare and head-hunting.

The village is shaped with the men's ceremonial houses which represents the aggressive assertion of power.

This housepost is one of the carvings that reflects those power of men.