Drum

Chief Omas

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 684

Drums hold a significant place in Asmat culture. According to their creation myth, the culture hero Fumeripits made the first carvings of men and women and placed them in the first men's ceremonial house. By beating on his drum, Fumeripits caused the figures to dance, bringing them to life.

The only musical instruments used by the Asmat are drums, which are beaten in a regular rhythm to accompany songs that are part of all ceremonies and feasts. Lizard-skin tympanums (drum heads) are attached to the drums with an adhesive mixture of lime and human blood. Handles are elaborately carved, usually with images of relatives and the heads of parrots and cockatoos. The figure on this particular work probably represents the father of the owner. The designs on the base of the drum depict the shell-nose ornaments worn by Asmat warriors.

#1768. Drum

0:00
0:00
View Transcript
Drum, Chief Omas, wood, lizard skin, beeswax, sago palm leaves, fiber, paint, Asmat people

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Drum, Chief Omas, wood, lizard skin, beeswax, sago palm leaves, fiber, paint, Asmat people
Drum, Chief Omas, wood, lizard skin, beeswax, sago palm leaves, fiber, paint, Asmat people

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.