ETHNOGRAPHY : NORTH AMERICA

Mask

Wooden mask painted blue with red lips and black moustache and eyebrows. The nostrils and ears are red. Masks like these were worn by secret dancing societies Feasting and music often accompany marriage celebrations. On the Northwest Coast of North America, families came together during the dark winter months to celebrate marriages, hereditary hunting rights and funerals. The best known of these feasts is the potlach, especially among the Kwaikiutl. Vast amounts of food and goods were distributed among the guests, who were entertained by members of secret dancing societies. Masked male dancers enacted the heroes of legend fighting with supernatural forces. Mid-nineteenth century

wood : paint

BELUM.C103.1952

National Museums NI