Mask

Item number A7956 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Data
Data Source

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Description

Anthropomorphic mask with an elongated nose, a human mouth, and a moustache. Upper half of the face is plain brown while the lower half of the face is painted red just across the nostrils. Has circular cut out hole eyes outlined by black and surrounded by a plain tapering oval with black brows above. Nostrils are cut out. Has a black moustache. Black fabric is nailed at either back side.

Narrative

Collected in Kitzegutlah by Wilhelm Helmer.

Cultural Context

Wild Man of the Woods (Gyet-em-gylychtl) 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.