Old Woven Basket / Painted Yam Mask. Abelam Village. East Sepik River. Papua New Guinea.
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Yam masks are an essential part of the yam harvest ceremonies and festivals of East Sepik area. In this case, the Wosera Hills, near Maprik. This mask is woven by men and tied to huge yams during the harvest festivities. Men of high status often grow yams exceeding 3 meters long . . .involving serious commitment and intensive rituals.
This mask is from the 1950s and still in very good condition.