22 
MEMOIRS OF TEE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM. 
Plate X. 
Fig. 1. — Dancing head-dress, measuring 3 ft. 11 in. X 1 ft. 4 x /2 in., 
provided with a fisli-like mouth and two prominent round spaces for the eyes. 
The two sticks to which mask is attached at the back are held in the hand. 
Used at the “Semese” dances. Locality: Purari Delta, British New Guinea. 
Specimen No.: Q.M. E.13/246. 
Fig. 2. — ITead-dress with a representation of the hornbill on top, side 
view. Dimensions: Total height 4 ft. 4 in., length of bird 3 ft. 4 in., from 
wing to wing 4 ft. 0%in. Worn at the Kaiva Kuku dances, Orokolo, B.N.G. 
Specimen No. : Q.M. E. 13/217. 
Fig. 3. — Head-dress with cap ; 2 ft. 8 in. high, 9 in. across. Worn at the 
Kaiva Kuku ceremonies, Orokolo, B.N.G. Specimen No. : Q.M. E. 13/229. 
Notes. — These appurtenances are held in great reverence; strangers are 
only allowed to inspect them under protest and disfavour, and they are kept 
in the Eravos which are religiously shut up. 
The ceremonies are often kept up incessantly for days and nights together, 
and when the dances are over practically all the masks, &e., are gathered into a 
large heap, perhaps some 200 or 300 of them, and burnt. It is consequently 
with great difficulty that these objects can be obtained ; the Papuans do not like 
parting with them at all, but will occasionally do so (of late years) after the 
ceremonial glamour has worn off. 
Women and children are never allowed under any circumstances to see 
the ceremonial appurtenances. Should they, however, do so, death is said to 
follow as a natural consequence — probably as the result of superstition and fear. 
Mr. S. G. Macdonell, of Orokolo, to whom I am indebted for this infor- 
mation, tells me that there is, however, a form of Kaiva Kuku dance in which 
women and children are allowed to participate, but only a small mask is used, 
the number of them being restricted to two or three. 
