Mask (Lewa)

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-masks

Date20th Century

Made AtEast Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumLygodium vine fiber, wood, dog teeth and paint

Dimensions37 × 9 1/2 × 16 in. (94 × 24.1 × 40.6 cm)

Credit LineLoan courtesy of Gayle and Edward P. Roski

Object numberL.2010.4.9

DescriptionVokeo Island is the largest and most western of the Schouten Islands, located off the north coast of New Guinea. It is known for its secret ceremonies including one in which men walk into the ocean and cut themselves to imitate menstruation as a cleansing process. This male dance mask is called a "Lewa" meaning "heart" and represents the heart of the spirits and is used during important ceremonial dances. It is also known as a peace maker.

On View

On view