Old Tharu shamanic mask, made from the pelvic bone of a yak, with bronze horns and other bronze ornaments attached to it.
Masks made from the pelvic bones of cattle have a very ancient origin and are known to be used especially by the animist tribes in Himalayan regions, but similar ones can sporadically also be found on different parts of the globe. This beautiful example here in our shop has a very specific style, typical for the Tharu people indigenous to the Terai area in southern Nepal and northern India, an animist tribe heavily influenced by Theravada Buddhism.
Masks like this are mostly worn by the tribe's shaman, but sometimes also by buddhist monks. They are used during specific ceremonial and ritual work, where strong protection and/or merging with very powerful spirits is needed. These masks are especially used during heavy duty healing and exorcism rituals. Also when they are 'off duty' for shorter or longer time, these masks are still considered to be the houses of strong spirits and as such for example hung in houses for protection. Where they are of course regularly fed offerings such as incense, ghee, wodka and milk.
Size; approximately 31 centimeters high and 22 centimeters wide (measured including the horns). Weight; approximately 1130 grams.
This mask can be dated around 1970-1980, or maybe a little bit earlier.
