1991.47.6 (Mask)

1991.47.6 (Mask) image

Raven mask from King Island. Black mask depicts a raven with long beak and tongue. Includes a strap for hanging. Ravens are often symbols of trickery or heroism.
Black wooden mask. Shaped like a raven’s face/head. Black paint. White paint for eyes and eyebrows. Red/orange paint for the inside of the beak. Face of the mask is oval in shape. Made by Tony Pushruk in 1955. Sent to UNI from Port Townsend, WA.

Animals were seen by the Inuit people to be equals. According to their beliefs, when hunting, animals gave themselves to humans only if they followed certain taboos. There was an annual celebration called Kelek, which opened passages between the human-world and the animal-world. Shamans would lead dances and songs to convince spirits of animals in the animal-world to cross over to the human-world, a way of achieving an abundance of fish or game. They would wear wooden, carved masks during this ceremony. Other ceremonies also included masks, but Kelek seems to be the most important one. Some masks did not have special meaning, and were mostly worn for fun by children during the festivals. These masks were almost always depictions of birds or fish.

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1991.47.6 (Mask) image
1991.47.6 (Mask) image