STUNNING AMAZON CEREMONIAL DANCE MASK

Item Code: NA8565

Origin: N. Brazil Amazon River, Wayana-Aparai People  (Provenance: Acquired from a collector in New York City)

Description:  A most impressive ceremonial dance mask called a “tamoko”.   It was used during the Cumeeira hut dedication ceremony, and  their pointed chins duplicate the pointed base of the central house post which is thrust into the ground as the last stage in the hut’s completion.   The triangular face is decorated with white geometric bands over reddish clay and wax.  The mantle of the woven cane mask is made of long tendrils of palm-fronds which would have highly exaggerated the movement of the dancer.  In very good condition showing traditional use.  There appears to be several areas where white lime flaked off and more was applied.   A very surreal and ghost-like artifact sure to be a welcome addition to any collection.  A similar example can be seen in "Arts of the Amazon", edited by Barbara Braun, thames and Hudson, 1995, p. 84.)

The Wayana-Aparai live in Brazil (in the states of Amapa and Para ), Suriname and French Guiana (see map). They were once two separate but related tribes, but over the last century they have merged into a single people. Craft production is one of their major sources of income. Selling their art helps Amazonian Indians maintain their cultural traditions (see ARTS OF THE AMAZON pgs 14 + 17). If they can survive maintaining their traditional way of living they are less likely to turn cattle raising or mining, activities which destroy hundreds of square miles of rainforest a year.

This mask known as a tomoko was worn during a Cumeeria hut decoration ceremony. The triangular “chin” is meant to resemble the pointed base of the central house post. In a ceremony recalling copulation the phallic post, which is not structurally necessary, is pushed through a decorated disc [photo] in the ceiling then trust into the ground. The faceplate is made from clay and wax and sports the geometric patterns typical of many Wayana ritual objects. The mantles, which are made from palm fronds, would have emphasized the movements of the dancer who wore it.

Wayana-Aparai rituals and ritual objects are named after mythical beings. Tomoko is a demon which the mask is meant to resemble. Wayana ceremonies tend to be wild affairs that last for 3 or 4 days during which extra marital affairs are common. Copious amounts of alcohol made from manioc are consumed. When the boozes runs out so does the party.

Dimensions:  Overall Height 55" (139 cm), Mask 13.75" (35 cm), Width 11.5" (30.5 cm)

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