AN IMPRESSIVE ABELAM BABA TAGWA MASK

Provenance: Private Dutch collection

The Abelam and neighboring peoples of the Prince Alexander Mountains in the Sepik region of northeast New Guinea create several types of basketry masks. They include the type seen here, known in the Abelam language as Baba Tagwa, which is worn over the head like a helmet, as well as the yam masks used to decorate the gigantic long yams grown and exchanged competitively by Abelam men. Among the Abelam, Baba Tagwa masks are associated with the male initiation cycle. During certain ceremonies, these imposing masked figures serve as guards.

Abelam region, Maprik Mountains, Papua New Guinea.
Vegetable fiber, 75 x 58 cm. Good condition, nice pigments.

Price: € 1.500,-