Mask - Malagan
Production date
1890-1895
Country
Papua New Guinea
State/Province
New Ire
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Object detail
Description
Mask made in a stylised interpretation of a male face, with wide gaping mouth.
Opercula set into the eye portion of mask, represent eyes. Only left 'eye' present.
Rattan framework is implemented for extended part of mask, excluding face.
Centre crest of crushed bush fibres atop mask, represent hair.
Right side of mask encased with lime, with pattern of rattan framework and a small pattern coloured in black. Left side of mask encased with lime, with pattern of rattan framework and small section coloured red.
Underneath lime and bush fibres, is cloth stretched over the rattan framework of mask, which continue down so as to be draped over shoulders of wearer.
Colours: black, red, white.
Opercula set into the eye portion of mask, represent eyes. Only left 'eye' present.
Rattan framework is implemented for extended part of mask, excluding face.
Centre crest of crushed bush fibres atop mask, represent hair.
Right side of mask encased with lime, with pattern of rattan framework and a small pattern coloured in black. Left side of mask encased with lime, with pattern of rattan framework and small section coloured red.
Underneath lime and bush fibres, is cloth stretched over the rattan framework of mask, which continue down so as to be draped over shoulders of wearer.
Colours: black, red, white.
Maker
Production date
1890-1895
Production place
Measurements
H474mm x W228mm x L409mm
Media/Materials description
Rattan, lime, bark cloth, opercula from Turbo Petholatus, Alstonia villosa lime wood, bush fibres, resin
History and use
The Vanis type Malagan,Tatanua is produced in the northern part of New Ireland and Tabar Island.
Early ethnographic accounts suggested that the word 'Tatanua' incorporated the local names or variants for the spirit 'tanua'; or the soul of the deceased individual.
The Tatanua mask does not represent an individual or his spirit, but the representation of a true man. Not simply in physical characteristics, but within a broader sense of culturally defined male capabilities.
An exclusively male ritual, the Tatanua's dance preparations take place within a sacred men's enclosure, away from the presence of women.
The mask is meant to contain much spiritual power, harnessed by its wearer during the length of the traditional 'Tatanua' dance, which is carried out towards the end of the Malagan ceremony.
The colours incorporated into the design represent certain actions. Red, made from crushed ochre - recalls the spirits of those who have died from violence. Black, from a pigment made from the crushed, heated insides of a nut - is associated with warfare. White, produced from heated, pulverised coral or limestone - an adjunct of numerous magical spells.
Malagan ceremonies are large, intricate traditional cultural events that take place in parts of New Ireland province in Papua New Guinea. The word malagan also refers to wooden carvings which are prepared for the ceremonies, and to an entire system of traditional culture.
Early ethnographic accounts suggested that the word 'Tatanua' incorporated the local names or variants for the spirit 'tanua'; or the soul of the deceased individual.
The Tatanua mask does not represent an individual or his spirit, but the representation of a true man. Not simply in physical characteristics, but within a broader sense of culturally defined male capabilities.
An exclusively male ritual, the Tatanua's dance preparations take place within a sacred men's enclosure, away from the presence of women.
The mask is meant to contain much spiritual power, harnessed by its wearer during the length of the traditional 'Tatanua' dance, which is carried out towards the end of the Malagan ceremony.
The colours incorporated into the design represent certain actions. Red, made from crushed ochre - recalls the spirits of those who have died from violence. Black, from a pigment made from the crushed, heated insides of a nut - is associated with warfare. White, produced from heated, pulverised coral or limestone - an adjunct of numerous magical spells.
Malagan ceremonies are large, intricate traditional cultural events that take place in parts of New Ireland province in Papua New Guinea. The word malagan also refers to wooden carvings which are prepared for the ceremonies, and to an entire system of traditional culture.
Registration number
E5687
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