Ceremonial mask (E572)

Northern New Ireland, Papua New Guinea. Wood, shell, barkcloth, red ochre, Berliner wasch blau, black paint, aerial rootlets, coral, white lime - This mask honoured the memory of dead leaders, both men and women. The characteristic facial bars have different meanings - some refer to a persons last breath or life force. The snake attacking a flying fish is symbolic of an important person. The leader of the village during the mourning period may have used this style of mask to remove taboos restricting peoples activities at this time.