Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art

About this Work

As was also true in many other parts of Melanesia, men’s societies historically played an important role in Vanuatu. One type of men’s society, known as a grade society, was a public association made up of several levels. As a man moved through these levels he would establish his place in society and also the place his spirit would have after death.

Objects for grade societies indicate the level of the owner. While not all of the elements’ meanings are known, the tusks were both a form of currency and jewelry associated with great value and status.

Typically, depictions of just a head are associated with public grade societies, while depictions of larger full figures were used for the men’s secret societies of Vanuatu. Small figures were carried by dancers or displayed in ceremonial houses during celebrations.