Mask

Item number A7957 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Data
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Description

Mask of a woman's face with a swiveling bird on top. The red-brown face has circular cut out hole eyes outlined by black and surrounded by a white tapering oval with black brows above and a vertical ridge in between up to the black hairline. The nostrils are cut out as is the open white mouth. The cheeks are painted with a pair of black u forms. The bird on top has black tapering oval eyes surrounded by a plain carved tapering oval with a black head, a red-brown beak and body, and brown fur for the wings. The bird is perched on white feathers. Skin strips are tied around the back at the top and at either side with mulit-coloured patterned cloth and a wood stick.

History Of Use

Nax nok mask. A cosmic being gave a particular strength called nax nok to deserving individuals, whose nax nok would be revealed in visions or dreams. Often a chief would publically reveal his or her nax nok at a feast or during cultural performances.