New Guinea Masks 7 



one to several days, depending on the length of time 

 the ceremonies and feasting which goes with them 

 continue, which is usually as long as the food supply 

 holds out. 



The masks made on this occasion were four — two 

 large ones covered with feathers, and two small ones 

 covered with leaves, chiefly coconut leaves. The two 

 smaller ones represented two females, Kangai and Gi- 

 mor; and the two large ones, their sons, Guembe, the 

 son of Kangai, and Korai, the son of Gimor. These 

 have their home in a fine house in the bottom of a 

 lagoon not far away, and visit the village at the time 

 of the ceremony, appearing to the people in the form 

 of these masks. 



At last the time arrived when the spirits were to 

 appear in the village, and a great crowd of people, 

 young and old, assembled along the street near the en- 

 closure. For some time the big drums or wooden 

 gongs, as well as shell trumpets and hand-drums, 

 could be heard within, when suddenly a portion of the 

 leafy fence was thrown to one side, and the masks and 

 attendants or dancers who made up the procession 

 were seen advancing slowly through the opening. In 

 front were four men in their finest ornaments, then a 

 large mask, followed by three more men; then the 

 second large mask attended in a similar way, and last, 

 the two small masks side by side. The men carried 

 kundus ("hand-drums") or beat two coconut shells to- 

 gether to mark the rhythm of the dance, which was a 

 slow 4/4 movement. First, one foot is advanced slight- 

 ly, usually considerably to one side, then the other taps 

 the ground alongside, then is stamped down firmly, 

 then a rest; after which the movement is repeated 

 with the other foot, and so on. Meanwhile everybody 

 sings, including the audience. When asked what it 

 meant, they declared it was merely a "sing-sing," and 

 nobody knew what the meaning was. Those in front 



[7] 



