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This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Large, carved, wooden, raven hamatsa mask with a long beak and an ovoid shaped protrusion for a nose. The beak is hinged with pieces of rubber nailed to either side. The beak is painted black with a red mouth and cutout nostrils. Around the mouth are red U-forms. Along the ridge of the beak are red U-forms on a white background. The protruding eyes are white, outlined in black on a red background; brow is black. Above the brow are two ear-like structures with red painted U-forms. The inside of the mask is hollow with the exception of twine used to open and close the beak. The top has long strips of cedar that hang over the wearer. Intermixed in the fridge are black, raven ? feathers. The mask is painted black, red, and white with Northwest Coast stylized designs.

History Of Use

Worn by hamats!a dancer. Used at a potlatch by one of the servants of Baxbakwalanuksiwe', Cannibal at the North End of the World. See Boas, 1895, Fig. 48, p. 449.

Narrative

Last used around 1920 at a potlatch given by Tom Patch Wamiss (D. Hawkins, 1966).

Cultural Context

ceremonial

Iconographic Meaning

Represents Huxhukw of Heaven: Huxhugwaxtawe', one of the servants of baxbakwalanuxsiwe', cannibal at the north end of the world.

Item History

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