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Object #     25.0/206
Object name     Crooked Beak Mask, Humsumhl
Culture of Origin     Kwakwaka'wakw, Nakwakdakw, Blunden Harbour
Maker or Artist     CHARLIE GEORGE JR.
Materials     Wood, Paint, Cedar Bark
Techniques     Carved, Painted, Shredded
Dimensions     L: 34 in, H: 16.5 in, W: 11.0 in
Exhibit Label    

Central NWC Case (1991-1997): "Crooked Beak Mask (galokwumhl). This mask represents one of the mythical human-eating birds that appear during the Hamatsa dances, the most important of the Tseyka dances. The appearance of these masks helps to calm and tame the initiate Hamatsa dancer, who has been possessed by the Cannibal Spirit. The dancer, hidden by a long fringe of red-dyed cedar bark, imitates the high-stepping actions of the bird, shouts the bird's call, and snaps the hinged beak loudly at important points of the dance."
Source     Mrs. Anne Gerber
Credit     Sidney Gerber Memorial Collection


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