Tumbuan mask (E61887)

Serakum village, Maprik sub-province, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea. Cane, natural pigment - For the Abelam people, many aspects of life revolve around the growing of yams and associated ceremonies and festivals. Masks are an integral part of these events. This tumbuan mask was part of a full dancing costume and was most likely used in a yam festival when collected during the Australian Museums 1964 Sepik River expedition.