Debating Stool (Kawa Rigit)
Within the central and most sacred area of the men’s ceremonial
houses of the Iatmul people stands, or stood, a debating stool
(kawa rigit), which is the focus of formal debates. All significant
matters must be debated in the presence of the village’s most
prominent ancestor, whose image appears on the back of the
stool. Supernaturally powerful, the stools never serve as
seats. Instead, they are rhetorical devices, used to emphasize
important points during debates, which center primarily on
religious matters. The name kawa rigit means seat of leaves.
As each speaker begins, he takes up a bundle of leaves from
the seat and strikes it. To emphasize each main point in his
speech, he strikes the seat again or lays a portion of the
leaves on it, concluding with a final blow. Always lively, Iatmul debates generally end peacefully, although they occasionally erupt into fights.
houses of the Iatmul people stands, or stood, a debating stool
(kawa rigit), which is the focus of formal debates. All significant
matters must be debated in the presence of the village’s most
prominent ancestor, whose image appears on the back of the
stool. Supernaturally powerful, the stools never serve as
seats. Instead, they are rhetorical devices, used to emphasize
important points during debates, which center primarily on
religious matters. The name kawa rigit means seat of leaves.
As each speaker begins, he takes up a bundle of leaves from
the seat and strikes it. To emphasize each main point in his
speech, he strikes the seat again or lays a portion of the
leaves on it, concluding with a final blow. Always lively, Iatmul debates generally end peacefully, although they occasionally erupt into fights.
Artwork Details
- Title: Debating Stool (Kawa Rigit)
- Date: 19th century
- Geography: Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River region
- Culture: Iatmul people
- Medium: Wood, paint, shell
- Dimensions: H. 39 1/2 × W. 17 1/4 × D. 14 3/4 in. (100.3 × 43.8 × 37.5 cm)
Other: 17 × 17 in. (43.2 × 43.2 cm) - Classification: Wood-Furniture
- Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Anonymous Gift, in memory of Rene d'Harnoncourt, 1968
- Object Number: 1978.412.1546
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
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1745. Debating Stool (Kawa Rigit)
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