Secret Ingiets

Myths of sorcery and 'black magic' surround mysterious stone carvings of the Ingiet, a secret men's cult of the Tolai society on the Gazelle Peninsula in New Britain, PNG. Despite being outlawed by the German colonial administration before WWI the cult was believed to exist in secrecy for decades after. Occasional finds of these Ingiet sculptures still create fear among local residents. The power of the Ingiets and the fascination with them seems unbroken.

The McLeod Gift Collection, which Burrinja manages on behalf of its owner, the Yarra Ranges Council, is the third largest public collection of Ingiets in the world. This survey exhibition presents the collection for the first time to the public in its entirety. As such this exhibition is also world premiere. Never before have these intriguing and extremely rare secret ingiets been shown in an exhibition of this scale.

On display are also other significant ceremonial items of Tolai culture. These are on loan from the private collections of Neil McLeod, Melbourne and Harold Gallasch, Adelaide, which rank as the most comprehensive in the country.

Exhibition Opening
Burrinja Gallery: Saturday, 7 September, 4.30 pm
In the presence of Emmanuel Mulai, Ratongaor Village, East New Britain

For more information please visit www.burrinja.org.au/secretingiets.