U'mista Cultural Society

The Potlatch Gallery

Image of the south side of the Potlatch Gallery showing a collection of potlatch regalia mounted against the wall. Image of the south-west corner of the Potlatch Gallery showing a group of masks. Image shows a darkened corner of the Potlatch Gallery with a group of Numaml masks on the left. View of the North wall corner towards the centre and south wall of the Potlatch Gallery.

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Bak´was – Wild Man of the Woods

Colour photograph shows Bakwas – Wild Man of the Woods mask shot against a black background

The Bak´was is a small, but powerful character about half the size of a grown man. Bak´was lives in the forest and goes to beaches to dig for his favourite food, dzoli or cockles. Because Bak´was is a shy creature, the performer often holds his arm up to hide his masked face from guests. You can see a Bak´was dancer in the film in this gallery.

Owner: T´sandigan ’Nage’, Harry Mountain, Mamalilikala (Village Island)

Creator: Bob Harris

Bak´was

Bakwas mask with two coiled snakes atop highly arched eyebrows, brass disks with perforated centres for eyes, a beak-like nose, feather trim
Bakwas mask, beak-like blue hooked nose, perforated brass disk for eyes surrounded by dark green patches, red, white and black facial markings, head covering of feathers mixed with hair, brightly coloured ribbons and cloth, sharp pointed ears.