Context (Production / use)
Used in Baining spirit night dance, probably Kariak Baining because of the large size. One of the “kavat” or “kavet” masks representing edible plant and animal forms. The spirit represents a type of leaf “rengit”, also used to wrap food for ceremonies. Pronounced mouth with large circular eyes and extended forehead. The pattern over the eyes is like the fern leaves which the kavat spirit likes to eat, the design in the middle of the forehead represent the cut leaves. Black and white pattern along the front centre, or bridge of the nose often described as “neck”. This design is more realistic than earlier examples e.g. can clearly distinguish snakes and a centipede pattern. The designs on the reverse probably refer to a clan or clans. The design includes a “three inside” pattern (the Baining often use negative painting) and wavy lines which may represent toothmarks.
The night dances include a fire dance and often snake dances in which the kavat dancers handle and twirl live snakes and sometimes eat them. The night dance is complemented by a day dance. The duality day/night is paralleled by women’s work/men’s work, gardening/hunting, village life/bush.
The dances were revived in the 1970s both for local use and for tourists. Originally the masks were created for a single ceremony and then destroyed (often burnt). Subsequently masks were sold to tourists after the dances.
This mask was catalogued by Anita Herle with the assistance of information supplied by Professor George Corbin, when he visited MAA. Professor Corbin is a specialist in Baining and Pacific Art at New York University.


Event Date 15/2/2004
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Large mask composed of a wooden frame covered with off-white barkcloth with red and black painted designs and fibrous leaf tassels at bottom (where head is inserted).

Event Date 15/2/2004
Author: maa

Context (Field collection)
The mask was purchased by the donor and her husband in New Britain after a dance performance. Mr Hadfield was Director of Agriculture in Port Moresby before being stationed at Rabual.

Event Date 15/4/2004
Author: rachel hand