Title: Ömie mountains, eggs of the Dwarf Cassowary and spots of the wood-boring grub The lines that run through the work are known as orriseegé or 'pathways' and provide a...
Title: Ömie mountains, eggs of the Dwarf Cassowary and spots of the wood-boring grub
The lines that run through the work are known as orriseegé or 'pathways' and provide a compositional framework for the design.
The large zig-zagging diamonds are dahorue, the design of the Ömie mountains.
The cross-hatch design is tuböru une, the design of the egg of the Dwarf Cassowary (Casuarius bennetti). Cassowary eggs are an important seasonal food source for Ömie people.
The spots within the orriseegé and dahoru'e are a design called sabu ahe representing the spots which can be seen on the sides of a wood-boring grub. This grub is sacred to Omie people as it plays an important part within the creation story of how Huvaimo (Mount Lamington) came to be volcanic. It is a traditional soru'e (tattoo design) which was most commonly tattooed running in one line under both eyes. Today it is applied to Ömie people's faces for dance performances with natural pigments.