Masque-corbeille en forme de casque "baba tagwa" ·  Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée, Montagnes du Prince Alexandre - cours moyen du fleuve Sepik, Abelam · ID: 3052343

Description

lygodium strips, clay, pigments, remains of human hair, base

“Baba-tagwa” masks among the Abelam are associated with the male initiation cycle, during which they are worn by men dressed in shaggy costumes made of strips of leaves.”During certain ceremonies, these imposing masked figures serve as guards. Brandishing lengths of bamboo or other weapons, the “baba tagwa” drive off women, children, and uninitiated men, who are not permitted to witness the secret initiation rites. (THE MET)