Ramu River Mortar
A small mortar from the Ramu River region, Papua New Guinea, early-to-mid 20th century. Such mortars were commonly carried in one's bilim bag, along with all the necessary fixings for a betelnut chew (areca palm nut, betel leaf, lime). Elders with few teeth needed a mortar to help the process along, so the mortar is also a symbol of seniority (if not authority).
A small mortar from the Ramu River region, Papua New Guinea, early-to-mid 20th century. Such mortars were commonly carried in one's bilim bag, along with all the necessary fixings for a betelnut chew (areca palm nut, betel leaf, lime). Elders with few teeth needed a mortar to help the process along, so the mortar is also a symbol of seniority (if not authority).
A small mortar from the Ramu River region, Papua New Guinea, early-to-mid 20th century. Such mortars were commonly carried in one's bilim bag, along with all the necessary fixings for a betelnut chew (areca palm nut, betel leaf, lime). Elders with few teeth needed a mortar to help the process along, so the mortar is also a symbol of seniority (if not authority).