Mortlock Islands Tapuanu Mask - General Tiki

A Alnshely Member Oceanside CA Joined: Mar 24, 2002 Posts: 974	A Alnshely Posted posted on Wed, Apr 14, 2004 9:27 PM I took these photos at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. I dig the photograph of these guys. Since these masks are from Micronesia they are technically not Tikis and should be posted in beyond Tiki, but, I thought "hey, close enough". The little plaque says "The Tapuanu, meaning "Sacred Spirit" is the only mask Produced in Micronesia. They were created and cared for by members of the poutapuana secret society. Used in beachside and ceremonial house dances, they represent a a protective ancestor spirit. The Tapuana spirit was thought to safegaurd against Typhoons, thus garanteeing the continuation of the main food source"

I took these photos at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. I dig the photograph of these guys. Since these masks are from Micronesia they are technically not Tikis and should be posted in beyond Tiki, but, I thought "hey, close enough". The little plaque says

"The Tapuanu, meaning "Sacred Spirit" is the only mask Produced in Micronesia. They were created and cared for by members of the poutapuana secret society. Used in beachside and ceremonial house dances, they represent a a protective ancestor spirit. The Tapuana spirit was thought to safegaurd against Typhoons, thus garanteeing the continuation of the main food source"

Post #86265 by Alnshely on Wed, Apr 14, 2004 9:27 PM