Baining Fire Dancer Mask

The Baining Fire Dancer Mask is a striking ceremonial artifact from the Baining people of East New Britain, Papua New Guinea. Made from natural materials like bark cloth, bamboo, and organic pigments, this large, colorful mask is crafted to evoke the spirits of ancestors, animals, and natural forces. Adorned with vibrant patterns and exaggerated features, it transforms the dancer into a powerful entity that bridges the physical and spiritual worlds.

In ceremonial fire dances, the wearer of the mask performs awe-inspiring movements around and through towering flames, a testament to resilience, strength, and respect for ancestral spirits. Originally part of initiation rites for young men, these rituals symbolize transformation, spiritual purification, and communal unity, as the dancer embodies the power and protection of their ancestors.

The colours used in this are from the flames and ambers of the bonfire-like ceremonial fires, the black swirls with the dots are used to showcase the coexistence of the spiritual and physical word.

Dimensions | 91cm (h) x 61cm (w)

Medium: Posca Pens, Graphite, Acrylic, Varnish on pre-stretched canvas. 

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