A 'Makwala or Moon Mask carved of cedar with blue patches around eyes and radial pattern around face
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’Makwala

Moon Mask

There are two moon masks in the Potlatch Collection that are quite different in appearance, belong to different owners and are used to tell different stories. Each family has their own dance masks which they use to share their family’s history.

Owner

Hiłamas, Ned Alvin Innis, ’Namgis (Alert Bay)

Catalogue Information

Materials

Wood, Alder; Paint

Accession Number

80.01.037

Physical Description

Mask carved from one piece of alder. The eyes, nostrils and mouth are pierced. There are two holes in the top of the head and two more in the rim nearby. There is also a nail hole in the very top. The design is painted in black, red and blue (possibly derived from Reckitt's Blue), with the ground un-painted. Brown, blue, black, red.