Each "Gope" belongs to its own clan, who install them in the ceremonial men’s house within interior alcoves that display the most sacred clan objects. They represent spirits that protect clans from sickness, malevolent spirits and death.‘spirit boards’ are made in the Papuan Gulf of New Guinea. The sculptural forms called ‘spirit boards’ are known by different names in the numerous ethnic regions of the Papuan Gulf and are called gope in several languages.
This Gope board is 11" Wide and 47 High