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Mask, malangan birds close up |
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Region:
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Melanesia
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CCountry:
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Papua New Guinea
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Island Group or Local Origin:
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New Ireland, Malangan
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Category:
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Masks
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Size:
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| This mask belongs to the dance mask category the most important of all malangans. It probably commemorates an important dead ancestor and was danced at a ceremony to honor that person. These masks are also used to remove a "tambu" or restriction from ceremonial or burial grounds. They are also used in rituals to validate land use transactions, establish a new subclan, ratification of social contracts and for rain making and celebrations.Judging from the bird imagery (either an eagle or sea hawk) on the top and side projections this mask probably belong to a sea side -salt water clan as opposed to one from the bush which would be represented by pigs. The elegantly carved feathers on the side parts of this mask appear similar to malangan dance masks of the late l9th or early 20th century. | ||
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