gwaxwamł (Mask)

Worn by Hamats!a dancer.

ceremonial

Represents Raven at the North End of the World, Gwaxgwaxwalanuxsiwe', one of the servants of Baxbakwalanuxsiwe', Cannibal at the North End of the World.

Carved, wooden, supernatural bird mask with a long beak and ovoid shaped nostrils with U-form cutouts. The beak is hinged with pieces of rubber on either side, nailed to the jaw. The beak and nostrils are painted black with red edging. There is a red stylized design around the nostril, three white curved markings behind the mouth and a white stylized design on the bottom of the beak. The eyes are white, outlined in black on a white, ovoid shaped background; brow is black and there are two black split U’s along the back rim. Attached to the top of the head are strips of cedar bark that are short at the front and hang long at the back. Attached with twine to the top, back and bottom rim is a braid of cedar. Strips of cedar line the bottom rim and dangle down to cover the body of the wearer. The inside of the mask is hollow with the exception of an attached twine cord that assistants the beak in opening and shutting; cord is tied around a cylindrical shaped, wooden handle. The mask is painted black, red and white with Northwest Coast stylized designs.