Antique Dayak Iban Shaman Mask

Iban Shaman Mask
Origin: Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia
Culture: Iban (Dayak subgroup)
Material: Carved wood with natural pigments
Dimensions: H 22 x 16 x 12 cm / 409 g
Height on stand: 36 cm / 855 g (stand included)

Description:
This carved wooden mask originates from the Iban tribe of Sarawak, one of the major Dayak peoples of Borneo. Traditionally worn by the manang (Iban shaman), it was used in healing and transitional rituals to facilitate the shaman’s journey into the spiritual realm.

The mask’s simplified, serene features—accented with black pigment around the eyes, nose, and mouth—represent the transformation of the manang from human form into a spiritual intermediary. Through ritual chants and trance, the shaman invoked ancestral and nature spirits for protection, guidance, and the restoration of balance between the human and unseen worlds.

The mask’s natural texture and soft patina suggest ceremonial use, embodying both spiritual authority and ancestral power within Iban cosmology.

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