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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 thin, s-shaped cutout nostrils. The beak is hinged with pieces of leather nailed to either side. The beak is painted black with a red mouth and nose. At the back of the nose are three triangles, outlined in white. The eyes are white, outlined in black, on a red, ovoid shaped background; brow is black. In front of the eye are three white U-forms and under the eye are five white s-shapes. The inside of the mask is hollow with the exception of twine used to open and close the beak. The top, side and bottom edges of the mask are lined with braided cedar. The top has short pieces of cedar creating a fringe, while there are a few longer pieces on the sides. There are three feathers intertwined in the cedar. The bottom is black with white U-forms. The mask is painted black, red, and white with Northwest Coast stylized designs.

History Of Use

Worn by Hamats!a.

Iconographic Meaning

Represents Raven at the north end of the world, Gwaxgwaxwalanuksiwe', one servant of Cannibal at the north end of the world, Baxbakwalanuksiwe'.

Item History

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