Iatapal & Vunapaka Cultural Groups: Tokatokoi & Mary headdresses
By Ruth McDougall
‘A Third Language’ February 2023
These tokatokoi (headdresses) are made by Tolai artists from the East New Britain province of Papua New Guinea, also known as Gunantuna people. Created by men, the headdresses are customarily brought to life through music and the movement of the wearer.
These examples were modelled on headdresses performed by two different cultural groups at the National Mask Festival in Kokopo, East New Britain, in July 2011. Works by the Vunapaka Cultural Group incorporate human figures that act as spiritual surrogates for important local men at the marawot (gathering site) in iniet (secret society) ceremonies. Headdresses by the Iatapal Cultural Group incorporate the Virgin Mary who, following the introduction of Christianity, replaced a customary ancestral figure. When displayed, both forms sit side by side, representing the coexistent beliefs of contemporary Tolai culture.
Connected objects
Mary 2011
- IATAPAL CULTURAL GROUP - Creator
Mary 2011
- IATAPAL CULTURAL GROUP - Creator
Mary 2011
- IATAPAL CULTURAL GROUP - Creator
Mary 2011
- IATAPAL CULTURAL GROUP - Creator
Mary 2011
- IATAPAL CULTURAL GROUP - Creator
Mary 2011
- IATAPAL CULTURAL GROUP - Creator
Tokatokoi 2011
- VUNAPAKA CULTURAL GROUP - Creator
Tokatokoi 2011
- VUNAPAKA CULTURAL GROUP - Creator
Tokatokoi 2011
- VUNAPAKA CULTURAL GROUP - Creator
Tokatokoi 2011
- VUNAPAKA CULTURAL GROUP - Creator
Tokatokoi 2011
- VUNAPAKA CULTURAL GROUP - Creator
Tokatokoi 2011
- VUNAPAKA CULTURAL GROUP - Creator