These听items听are a snapshot into what people were using and wearing during听sing-sings听in the late 1940s鈥攊n the midst of colonial presence and before the island鈥檚 civil war with Papua New Guinea.听Surrounding people with dances, the smell of food, and the sounds of music,听sing-sings听are a gathering of people听to听dance, eat, talk听and share other traditions throughout islands in the Southwest Pacific.听Bud听Johnson collected a diversity of听cultural items听from across Bougainville Island. A good amount of these听items听were used in听蝉颈苍驳-蝉颈苍驳蝉听before they were traded.听Although听fashion, practices, and materials change over time and are not exactly the same as when Johnson was in Bougainville, people continue to participate听sing-sings听迟辞诲补测.

Sing-Sings: Then and Now

Below are photos of objects from the CU collection associated with sing-sings. Hover over the image with your mouse to learn more, click on them to enlarge! All objects date from pre A.D. 1949.

Panpipe. Material: Bamboo, fiber, plant. Pre-1949. (07160)
A rattle, made of shells, dog-teeth, and glass, is from New Sangu, Bougainville Island. This rattle was worn during dances at sing-sings. (07420)
Apron made from palm leaves
A carved wooden horn from Riga Mission, Bougainville Island. This horn was used to make music during sing-sings. (07462)
Cuff made of cloth, plastic, and feathers.
strands of reddish brown plant fibers tied together on one end
These colorful plant-fiber ornaments were worn by women at sing-sings, and all come from Iriwei, Bougainville Island. (07361.2)
long purple and orange plant fibers tied together at one end.