Friction Drum, New Ireland

The unique sacred instruments of New Ireland called lunet or livika were used in malagan ceremonies, and played by moistening the hand and drawing it quickly across the smooth surface of its three projecting tongues. The sound which resonates from the vibration of the wood resembles the call of a bird; the instruments were also called lapka, lounnet and lianuat depending on their region of origin, these names referring to birds. The otherwordly sound served as an intercession between the physical and spirit worlds, with the call of the bird representing the voice of the spirits of the dead.

“New Irelanders see this instrument as a kind of bird and each livika has its own name” (Gunn and Peltier, New Ireland: Art of the South Pacific, Brussels, 2006, p. 192). They were generally kept hidden from view, and brought out and played at funerals of prominent clan members, accompanying the vigil and burial.

The present example was acquired in situ by the George Wilkinson, who served as Deputy District Officer at Kavieng, New Ireland, circa 1919-20.