10 
MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM. 
Plate IV. 
A double-headed head-dress worn at Kaiva Kuku ceremonial dances at Orokolo,. 
Gulf of Papua. 
The figure supported on the lower mask is that of a crocodile with a 
human head— seen sideways; total height 4 ft. iy 2 in., width 2 ft. ll 1 /^ in., 
length 7 ft. The whole object is mounted on a cane framework, which is 
covered with either cocoanut or sago palm fibre, and ornamented in red, white, 
and black. The frames are made of lawyer cane, previously dried in the sun 
and scraped and split into the various thicknesses required, many kinds of grasses 
being used for binding purposes. The sago-bark is well beaten out, cleaned and 
dried in the sun, and laid aside ready for use, but is again thoroughly washed 
in water when put on the frame, so that when finished a good tight surface is 
obtained. The colours used are generally white lime, obtained from crushed 
shells, charcoal, a yellow colour made from the leaves of a yellow croton, and a 
red bark powder or lime stained. Strips of fibre and leaves with white feathers 
decorate the sides of the animal. The masks take usually from three to four 
months in the making. Specimen No. : Q.M. E. 13/215. 
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