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Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle
Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle

Rare Old “Big Man” Coconut Shell Cannibal Spoon or Ompi from the Azera (Adzera) People, Markham Valley, Morobe Province. Papua New Guinea. Private Collection, Mid 20th Century. ITEM SP8C, Good patina. Protective Ancestor handle

  • Save $170

From our private collection, this old coconut shell spoon, used for liquids in the past, is an outstanding example of a hand crafted everyday tool for the Azera (Adzera) people, Markham Valley, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. It once belonged to an important tribal member, a “Big Man”.

 The Ompi has a hand etched Ancestor face on the handle to protect the owner from malevolent spirits lurking in the jungle. Good patina.

The Azera made a large variety of coconut shell objects for their own use, this material being solid, light, reliable, waterproof and easily accessible in the field. Used at the time for food goods and drinks.

Created, at the time, with primitive tools such as shell pieces and sharp stones.

Cannibalism and rituals were an integral part of the Azera culture up to the mid 20th century.

ITEM SP8C

Size of spoon is 5 1/2” x 3” x 2 ½”.

I have seen one similar go for 600.00 dollars at auction.

All our collector and rare items come with pages and pages of research about provenance, and with history of the tribes and photos as well, depending on item and whenever possible. When shipping internationally, we group ship multiple purchases to save you money, and find the best rates available. If you have any questions or want to see research conducted on this piece and photos of tribes, let us know.