Funerary Mask

Funerary Mask (tatanua). Carved wooden face surmounted by large semi-circular headdress decorated with tufts of plant fiber. Red, black and white pigment on face and loop ears. Eyes of sea snail (Turbo petholatus) opercula. Helmet mask worn by male dancers in performances at large scale, clan-sponsored multi-village mortuary celebrations. The crest of fiber “hair” may refer to a tradition in which, as part of mortuary observances, young men shaved the sides of their heads, which were then covered with a plaster of powdered lime. The two sides of a mask always differ, and the line of dancers turns to display each in turn.