Bird Mask - More Info

Agayulqútaq / Mask. Each mask represented a spirit who was celebrated with dances and songs at the winter hunting ceremonies. This mask has a bird’s beak and the pointed head of an íyaq - the spirit of a man or woman who had led an evil life. An íyaq could be adopted by a shaman as one of his helping spirits. This mask is burned on one side, perhaps on purpose. Masks were often destroyed or placed in caves after the end of a ceremony.