Helm Mask Called Baba Tagwa Abelam Culture, Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea

HEALTHY MASK called Baba Tagwa
Abelam culture, Sepik region, Papua New Guinea
First half of the 20th century 
Vegetable fibers and pigments 
H.: 50; L.: 34cm

Helmet mask made of woven basketry, openwork and enhanced with polychrome pigments. The anthropomorphic figure is animated by large round eyes pigmented with white, a nose with a prominent ridge, a half-open mouth, two ears in concentric circles placed high on the temples and a crest animated with zigzag patterns. 

These Baba Tagwa masks refer to the initiation rites of young boys. During these secret ceremonies, reserved for the initiated, they acted as guardians, keeping out the uninitiated.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

Ref.LP3169