Mask of the gods, Kenyah Dayak, East Kalimantan

Beautiful mask of the gods. The Kenyah Dayak of East Kalimantan believe that all life stems from the Tree of Life. Their mythology tells that a creeper from the Upper World fertilised a tree in the Underworld, from which the first human couple emerged. A face with plant-like protrusions is considered by the Dayak to be a ‘gods face’, which also symbolises the Tree of Life, a sign of fertility. This gods' mask was not worn by dancers, but hung from the ridge beams of a longhouse or used during ceremonies, where it was attached to a headcutter's pole. The Kenyah Dayak's god mask is a powerful ritual object, rich in symbolism and cultural significance, reflecting the deep spiritual traditions of the people. Circa 1950.