This unique ceremonial helmet-style headdress is crafted from woven and plaited plant fibers entirely covered in striking, bright red Abrus seeds and white cotton tufts that are individually strung that hang down as strands.
Despite this uncommon material, it possesses a strong sculptural form and is highly expressive, with large rectangular eyes and mouth.
It would have been traditionally worn during rituals and ceremonies by the Jankai secret society of the Angas and Koro peoples.The seeds are chosen for their striking, uniform red color, although, in time, as with this one, the seeds are more burgundy in color as it ages.
Jankai means "Red Head," which directly references the bright red Abrus seeds covering the masquerade headdress.
The Jankai masqueraders traditionally emerged during harvest time and served as a communal celebration of agricultural bounty and a spiritual thanksgiving to the ancestors for a successful crop.
The dancer, concealed completely by the red helmet mask and a billowing cloth robe—reaches an ecstatic trance state, and is said to achieve dizzying physical feats as he loses his human identity and embodies the spirit represented by the headdress. It thus serves as a physical medium between the community and the spirit world.
It was collected back in the 1960's by Max Kirkeburg who was doing research into oral histories in the area at that time.
It is 14 ½" tall (15 ½" on its 4" x 3" metal base)
Width: 8"
Depth: 9"
