Some images on the April River Shields and Name boards and their meanings.
Smiley face: Nipe – Spirit from the Hunstein forest. Fashioned after a prehistoric petroglyph in the Hunstein mountains. The Nipe presents itself to people sleeping in the bush. The Nipe on the shield is to identify the warrior and scare away the enemy. Nipe will travel with the man to protect him in battle.
Round circles Coconuts/ yon. Spin tops/ ya’alo. Spirit of the coconut protects from poisons and food contamination.
Concentric Circles Eyes of the masalai or spirit to seek out and frighten the enemy.
Stars Called nob. To guide the spirits on their journey into battle.
Moon Yalo
Sun Yabro
Kina or half moon To protect the eyes of the warrior and to help the warrior find his way at night.
Wishbone design The aioh or whiskers of the pig. Pig Clan.
Hornbill Kokomo clan.
Banana Lefene banana. Eaten only by men and used during the initiation of young men.
Dia Dog head, dog clan.
Zigzag border Talia, Border of crocodile teeth.
Snake border Elba or snake clan.
Striped snake Pule. Poisonous multicolored snake said to fight first with its mouth then with its tail. Pule clan mark.
Long wandering lines Journeys made by men.
Short wandering lines Kapul or possum tails. Obamo or Possum clan.
Hooked lines Tee or Lawyer cane / rattan. Also one of the signs of the snake clan.
Tee Lawyer cane
Nwol Hooks of lawyer cane

Large shields with handles: One man holds the shield to protect other bowmen or spear carriers. The enemy may take the fallen warrior but would not touch the shield for fear of reprisal from the spirit. Men will sleep under the shields in bush camps or when they establish a new garden camp to protect them from resident spirits (masalai) and to inform the spirits who is abroad.