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.