Asmat Poles

A Bis Pole is a ritual artifact used by the Asmat people of south-western New Guinea. Similar objects can be found among many people of the South Pacific.

The Bis Poles are carved out a single piece of a wild nutmeg tree and can reach heights of 25 feet. They consist of human figures standing on top of each other. There are also animal figures and phallic symbols.

The poles were carved by the religious carves of the Asmat after a member of the community had been killed by an enemy tride. The Asmat participated in headhunting raids and cannibalism as ritual. They believed that if a member of the community was killed his spirit would linger in the village and disrupt the harmony of the village. The poles were created in order to satisfy the spirit of the murdered and send them to the afterlife (which was called Safan) across the sea.

All of the rituals (dancing, singing, headhunting) that were involved in the Bis poles were preformed by men. There was often a place at the base of the pole that was meanth to hold the heads of enemies.

The phallic symbols represented the strength of the community's ancestors as well as of the warriors going on the headhunting mission.The human figures would represent deceased ancestors.

Bis poles were created primarily as an act of revenge. They also pay homage to the ancestors and bring harmony and spiritual strength to the community. Although headhunting ended in the Asmat region in the 1970s, the poles are still used in rituals today.