The Koteka Clothing of Papua New Guinea
Interpretive Label
In Papua New Guinea, most natives within villages do not wear western clothing. They do however have their own form of clothing. The males in particular have a traditional piece of clothing worn around them. A koteka, also known as a penis sheath, is a phallocrypt that covers the male genitals. Koteka are made by the men and are made of specially grown gourds that are farmed within the village.
Different sized gourds are worn depending on the activity the men partake in. During special events and ceremonies, longer gourds are worn. Shorter gourds are used for everyday wear and even shorter ones are used during work or hunting. The size and shape of the gourd does not have any significant meaning pertaining to the social status within the village. However the shape, design and how the koteka are worn vary from tribe to tribe.
Gourds naturally grow round in shape. Gourds used to make koteka are elongated by attaching string and rocks to the bottom of the gourd while it is growing. Curved gourds are made by using string to manipulate the direction the gourd grows. When the gourd is ready for harvest, they are cut down to size depending on what it is being used for, hollowed out using tools and then put into a small fire to dry. Woven fibers are then attached to be used as straps that wrap around the waist and scrotum. The design varies between tribes. Some common decorations used are feathers, beads and cowry shells. Koteka that are sold to tourists are very flashy, decorative, and painted and are not the actual representation of what the men wear. Depending on the tribe koteka can be hung downward, point sideways or even worn upwards against the stomach and are held up by another string.
Justification Statement In Papua New Guinea men wear koteka, also known as a penis sheath, which are phallocrypts that cover the male genitals. They are made by specially grown gourds that are elongated or curved by using rocks to weight them down and
In Papua New Guinea, most natives within villages do not wear western clothing. They do however have their own form of clothing. The males in particular have a traditional piece of clothing worn around them. A koteka, also known as a penis sheath, is a phallocrypt that covers the male genitals. Koteka are made by the men and are made of specially grown gourds that are farmed within the village.
Different sized gourds are worn depending on the activity the men partake in. During special events and ceremonies, longer gourds are worn. Shorter gourds are used for everyday wear and even shorter ones are used during work or hunting. The size and shape of the gourd does not have any significant meaning pertaining to the social status within the village. However the shape, design and how the koteka are worn vary from tribe to tribe.
Gourds naturally grow round in shape. Gourds used to make koteka are elongated by attaching string and rocks to the bottom of the gourd while it is growing. Curved gourds are made by using string to manipulate the direction the gourd grows. When the gourd is ready for harvest, they are cut down to size depending on what it is being used for, hollowed out using tools and then put into a small fire to dry. Woven fibers are then attached to be used as straps that wrap around the waist and scrotum. The design varies between tribes. Some common decorations used are feathers, beads and cowry shells. Koteka that are sold to tourists are very flashy, decorative, and painted and are not the actual representation of what the men wear. Depending on the tribe koteka can be hung downward, point sideways or even worn upwards against the stomach and are held up by another string.
Justification Statement In Papua New Guinea men wear koteka, also known as a penis sheath, which are phallocrypts that cover the male genitals. They are made by specially grown gourds that are elongated or curved by using rocks to weight them down and