Today, the custom of marriage among the Wahgi remains true to tradition for the most part. However, "modern" influence has changed some aspects. For example, this woman wears  rip-tops from beer cans in her ears. Rising coffee prices has led to the use of more costly black Stephanie plumes in headdresses as opposed to the traditional red Raggiana feathers. The woman also wears fewer pieces of shell than might have been used in previous times.

Button blankets came into being after the people of the Northwest Coast came into contact with Europeans. At first, trade cloth embellished with a few dentalium pieces was favored. Later, wool and and felt came into use.  Buttons made of abalone, pearl, and plastic became popular when the use of buttons increased. Today button blankets are now the most popular form of attire for feasts, pole-raisings, and other traditional functions.

This parody of a European couple shows a response to Western influence. The two participants are satirizing a European couple in an Egungun masquerade. Their wooden masks are painted a sunburnt color, and the couple is swathed in clothing despite the heat. They walk arm-in-arm, which is commonly considered vulgar among the Yoruba.

The Container
As Woman

The Wealth and Status Connection