Melpa people, Western Highlands, PNG.

In pre-contact Highland society, salt was both rare and valuable and often included as part of brideprice payments. It was sought after to use on cooked pig at ceremonial gatherings. The salt was produced only in a few locations that had a briny, salty water source. The salt was wrapped in pandanus leaves are bound tightly to form a pack. The best had most elegant shapes, like this example. Ex-Serge Schoffel, Belgium. Ex-Ulrich Kortmann, Germany.