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Collections The U'mista Collections
Unidentified Mask of Johnny Drabble
Possibly a Mask Representing Baxwbakwalanuksiwe'
This rare mask represents the great Man-Eating Spirit Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’ who possesses the new Hamat̕sa or Cannibal-Dancer. The mask displays three mouths within each other bearing a tiny human skull in the centre. The mask also has two smaller bird faces representing Galugadza’yi or Crooked-Beak of Heaven who is said to be the wife of Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’. The mask is typical of Hamat̕sa society regalia as it is adorned with red and un-dyed cedar bark fringe.
It has been speculated that this is a rare form of Hamsiwe’, however, it lacks in all characteristics of the usual Man-Eating Bird masks. This mask is listed as belonging to Chief Kwaxalanukwame’ John Drabble, who was from the Dzawada’enuxw of Kingcome Inlet. He is also photographed wearing the mask as well as full cedar bark regalia covering him entirely at the time of the potlatch regalia confiscation in 1922. The mask is also believed to be the actual representation of Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’ himself and was used in a special ceremony after the Hi’hamsamł has retired to the Hamat̕sa’s secret room. In this ceremony, Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’ appears carrying the headdress of the new initiate in a short circuit around the fire and then disappears into the Hamat̕sa’s secret room. This is done in order for the new initiate to receive and don his spiritual gift in the form of a headdress usually from the origin of his family or Hamat̕sa story; and then carry out his final taming ceremony.
This mask is very unusual and the purpose is unclear, however it clearly belongs to the Hamat̕sa society and displays Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’, the Man-Eater from the North End of the World.
The mask possibly representing Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’ belongs to: John Drabble UCC-
