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Description

Mask made of carved wood, animal skin and cloth. The mask is painted black, and displays an open mouth with white paper behind the lips, blue pen used to draw teeth. Above a small protruding nose are bored eye holes also with inserted white paper, torn to indicate a pupil. Large ears are carved at sides. A series of wrinkles are carved into the forehead and along the cheeks. Pieces of hide with long strands of light brown hair are glued to the upper lip and chin for a mustache and beard, as well as around they eyes and to the top of the head for hair. Burlap covered in goat hair and matted grass covers the back of the wearer’s head.

History Of Use

Mask worn by a male initiate in the Nyau secret society. This group of masks (3137/1-7) were used in dances that occurred after the crops were harvested (July or August). The masked men, who represented ancestral spirits or unique characters, danced to depict certain behaviours, or characteristics. The dancers also wore costumes made of grass, leaves and coloured cloth, and sometimes had white ash covering their arms and legs. They were accompanied by drumming, as well as the chanting, singing and clapping of some of the senior women.

Narrative

The donors (the Butlers) worked at Bunda College of Agriculture near Lilongwe, Malawi, in the 1970s. Robert Butler was invited to become a member of the Nyau secret society, and they were invited to Nyau (Gule Wamkulu) ceremonies and ritual dances (at a time when the dances were not yet performed for the public). The Butlers purchased the masks from members of the society during that time.