There is a fascinating selection of masks, including ancestral and spirit masks which are traditionally the most important. Boys wore them with woven body shrouds or turnbuan which can also be purchased. Decorated boards are popular objects in Papuan Gulf culture as are boat prows, thought to be protective spirits to ward off sickness and evil. Shields come in all shapes and sizes and are made of hide stretched over a framework. Stools, tables and headrests are ornate and carry intricate carvings while fishing hooks were suspended in the men's house and represented spirits which helped in fighting, hunting and warding off disease.
Skull racks for both enemies and relatives make novel souvenirs and are nicely decorated.
Musical instrurnents, mostly hand drums, are made from wood with a skin of snake, lizard or tree kangaroo stretched tightly over the mouth and glued to the rim with tree sap. Finally jewellery, body ornaments and accessories are made up of a number of components including pigs' teeth, shell, orchid stems, dogs' teeth, seed, snake spine, and pigs' tusks. The Sepik region is an immense grassland reserve, surrounded by one of the world's greatest rivers which runs 1,126kms from its origins in the mountains to the sea. The people along the river depend heavily on it for transportation, water and food. Their cultural links with the Sepik river are symbolised in many of their ancient and spiritual rituals, such as the manhood initiation.