Mask Item Number: 3420/56 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Bush cow mask carved of wood and painted. The face has a rectangular shape, with a split in the head which continues into two slightly curved horns extending up from the top of the head. The horns are painted with bands of red or black in alternating sections, and the face has two large concentric circle eyes, a large V-shaped design and a row of jagged teeth. Long yellow-brown fibre hair is attached to the back.

Iconographic Meaning

Bush cows are thought to be especially rich in nyama (life-force).