Papua New Guinea

GABLE MASK, Karawari River region, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea

GABLE MASK, Karawari River region, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
GABLE MASK, Karawari River region, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
GABLE MASK, Karawari River region, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
GABLE MASK, Karawari River region, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea

GABLE MASK, Karawari River region, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
This large simple mask is woven of cane, with wide open eyes and mouth, painted in eath pigments and decorated with cassowary feathers. The Gable Mask is not worn, but is an important feature on the Men's Ceremonial House, on its gable end. There are usually two similar masks.

One each on each gable end of the roof. The roof projects over the mask, to protect it from weather. Because the roof of the Ceremonial House is so high, as high as the coconut trees, this mask can see. Everything that happens in the village.


GABLE MASK, Karawari River region, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea