Headdress Mask (Hemlout)
ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-head ornaments-headdresses
Culture
Sulka
Date20th Century
Made At
MediumFiber, woven cloth, feathers, pigments and wood
Dimensions51 x 56 x 56 in. (129.5 x 142.2 x 142.2 cm)
Credit LineBowers Museum Purchase
Object number2011.5.6
DescriptionPainted mask with feathers. Large umbrella-shaped mask with flat disc-shaped top made with red cloth painted with yellow, black, white, and green on the underside and brown moss-like fibers adhered to the top. Central wood handle is wrapped with pink fibers; there is a boat-shaped detail extending from the center. This extension is pink and has jagged foam edging. The pink wrapping on the central extends into a conical shape toward the bottom. Feathers are adhered to the top and along the edges of the disc-shaped top.Despite acceptance of Christianity the Sulka people retain strong cultural traditions. Masked ceremonies take place less during initiation ceremonies and more often to inaugurate a new business, to honor a new church or clergyman or to celebrate a broader national holiday. As in the past, the masks are discarded or burned after use. -
The brilliant colors of Sulka masks are directly related to their magical strength, and are so chosen to create a strong visual effect upon the audience. The painted and sewn underside design on the bottom of the parasol of hemlout masks are revealed to onlookers for only a brief moment when the dancer tips his head. The hemlout mask appears on the dance ground along with the figurative sisiu mask, two of which are on display in the spirits and Headhunters Gallery.
On View
Not on viewCollections
20th Century
