Papua New Guinea Mask Mosquito Barak Tribe Wood Hunting Ceremonial Mask

This is a fabulous Carved Wood Barak Mosquito Mask from the Turubu are of East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea. This powerful old spirit mask. It represents a mythical bush spirit called Barak who is called upon for help in both male initiation and hunting. Barak masks exist in male and female form. In the ceremonial house, offerings of magical substances such as coral and tree bark were made to the Barak spirit to spiritually enliven the mask, together with requests for assistance with fishing and hunting. The Barak spirit was believed to be able to reveal game to the hunter while simultaneously concealing it from a competing stranger. Powerful Barak masks were only danced on rare occasions, including the initiation of young males and at times of scarce game and other village hardship. Each individual mask was known by a unique name and was danced by an initiated male concealed in a plant fiber costume. The mask has a striking long mosquito nose with a pointed tip, a concave vaulted facial plane with tiny eye slits, and is carved from light hard wood and decorated with natural pigments.
This would be a wonderful addition to your collection and or home.

Late 20th-Century

The mask shows age, discoloration, but in good condition. Collectors Item

20 1/4 Inches Tall
8 3/4 Inches Wide
6 Inches Deep

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