FIBRE CULT MASK, Ramu River Valley

Chris Boylan Oceanic Art

FIBRE CULT MASK, mid-Ramu River Valley, PNG

This unusual fibre mask was collected in the Ramu River Valley in the early 1970s. It is however older, showing use in ceremony. It is constructed of a shiny black fibre with square eyes and a square mouth. The mask is adorned with nassa and cowrie shells and beard-like tassels of job's tears (Coix lacryma-jobi) hang from the lower rim. Its exact use was not recorded but most probably used during initiation ceremonies, or specific cult ceremony, to represent certain spirits.

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