Figure

Head of clay on vegetable fiber base, painted. Two pig tusks extend above the nose in a vertical direction. The effigy spirit of a dead man, used as a mask. Thought to be the spirit of the dead man. Carried during the dancing and feast at the two month cycle. Man from surrounding villages come together during the feast and offer yams in a pile. The spirit comes and steals yams and is thereby placated and will not cause trouble with the people still remaining alive in the villages. Item name: nawikai. See archives- "Hedrick Collection"