North America | Alaska
Inupiaq Mask
Alaska
Inupiaq mask – Eskimo
19th century
Carved wood
Height: 9 in. – 23 cm
Provenance
Private collection, New York
Collection privée, France
Inupiaq mask 23 cm / Galerie Flak
On request
The Subarctic region inhabited by the Yup’ik Eskimo in Alaska is well supplied with land and sea resources allowing for much time that could be devoted to a full ceremonial life. After freezeup in the winter, performance cycles were undertaken that were important to maintaining proper human, animal and spirit-world interactions. These ritual and shamanic ceremonies took place in the Men’s House (qasaiq). During masked ceremonies, shamans, under the protection of their animal-guides entered into a trance to communicate with the spirit world.
Before leaving on a hunt, men also had to observe a certain number of dictates to assure themselves of the beneficial support of tutelary spirits, the « masters » of game animals.
Before leaving on a hunt, men also had to observe a certain number of dictates to assure themselves of the beneficial support of tutelary spirits, the « masters » of game animals.
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