Bisj Pole

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A Bisj Pole, or Bis Pole, is a ritual artifact used by the Asmat people of south-western New Guinea. Objects similar to Bisj Poles are found among many peoples of the South Pacific islands - in New Zealand, and on Vanuatu.

Carved out of a single piece of Sago Palm tree, Bisj poles can reach heights of up to 25 feet (7.62 meters), and consist of human figures standing on top of each other, as well as animal figures, phallic symbols, and carvings in the shape of a canoe prow. Bisj poles were carved by the religious carvers of the Asmat (wow-ipits) after a member of the tribe or community had been headhunted (killed) by an enemy tribe. The Asmat participated in headhunting raids and cannibalism as ritual. The Asmat believed that if a member of the community had been headhunted, his spirit would linger in the village and cause disharmony. Bisj poles were erected in order to satisfy these spirits and send them to the afterlife (Safan) across the sea. Many rituals were involved in the Bisj poles including dancing, masquerading, singing and headhunting--all performed by men. Bisj poles often had a receptacle at the base that was meant to hold the heads of enemies taken on headhunting missions. The phallic symbols represented the strength and virility of the community's ancestors as well as of the warriors going on the headhunting mission. Canoe prow symbols represented a metaphorical boat that would take the deceased spirits away to the afterlife. The human figures would represent deceased ancestors. Bisj poles were erected primarily as an act of revenge, to pay homage to the ancestors and to 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.