Nom’e Javavamu Darugé I’jové (We Dance Our Designs to Life)

A Collection of Barkcloth Art from the Ömie Artists, Papua New Guinea

Nom’e Javavamu Darugé I’jové (We Dance Our Designs to Life)

A Collection of Barkcloth Art from the Ömie Artists, Papua New Guinea

Australian Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) artwork by DIONA JONEVARI (SUWARARI) of Omie Artists. The title is Vaigu dere, jij’e, dahoru’e ohu’o buborianö’e – Bush snail shells, stars, Ömie mountains and beaks of the Papuan Hornbill. [15-046] (Natural Pigments on Nioge (Barkcloth)) Australian Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) artwork by DIONA JONEVARI (SUWARARI) of Omie Artists. The title is Vaigu dere, jij’e, dahoru’e ohu’o buborianö’e – Bush snail shells, stars, Ömie mountains and beaks of the Papuan Hornbill. [15-046] (Natural Pigments on Nioge (Barkcloth))
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DIONA JONEVARI (SUWARARI)

Vaigu dere, jij’e, dahoru’e ohu’o buborianö’e – Bush snail shells, stars, Ömie mountains and beaks of the Papuan Hornbill
Vaigu dere, jij’e, dahoru’e ohu’o buborianö’e – Bush snail shells, stars,...

15-046
Natural Pigments on Nioge (Barkcloth)
 Vaigu dere, jij’e, dahoru’e oh… | 15-046
Natural Pigments on Nioge (Barkclot…
 104.5 x 84cm | 41.14 x 33.07in (irregular)
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The border and line that runs through the work are known as orriseegé or ‘pathways’ and provide a compositional framework for the designs.

The border design within each frame is composed of two designs - the triangles are dahoru’e, Ömie mountains, and the zig-zag design over the triangles is buborianö’e, the beaks of the Papuan Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus). Hornbills are the largest flying birds that can be found in the Ömie mountains.

The spiral design is vaigu dere, shells of the bush snail. Bush snail shells are usually found in the rainforest, and were used in the time of the Ancestors for the important social custom known as haiwu’e, the chewing of betelnut. This custom is practiced in everyday life but especially during feasting and dancing after Ujawé initiation tattooing rites as well as for marriage ceremonies. The shell would be ground up into a powder, similar to lime powders used today, and then chewed with the fruit of the betelnut. It is said that betelnut-chewing enduces a trance-like state in the dancer.

The small cross designs are jije, stars.

Diona was originally taught this old design of vaigu dere ohu’o jije from the late Chief of Ematé clan women, Mary Naumo of Godibehi village.

The border and line that runs through the work are known as orriseegé or ‘pathways’ and provide a compositional framework for the designs.

The border design within each frame is composed of two designs - the triangles are dahoru’e, Ömie mountains, and the zig-zag design over the triangles is buborianö’e, the beaks of the Papuan Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus). Hornbills are the largest flying birds that can be found in the Ömie mountains.

The...