Bidayuh Ceremonial Dance Monkey Mask

Bidayuh Ceremonial Monkey Mask

Origin: West Borneo – Bidayuh (Land Dayak) People
Material: Carved light wood, natural pigments, gold paint

This evocative ceremonial monkey mask, carved from light, locally sourced tropical wood, showcases the bold and primal aesthetic of Bidayuh ritual craftsmanship. With its exaggerated facial features and raw, expressive energy, the mask commands immediate attention. Its form is both playful and fearsome — embodying the dual nature of the monkey spirit as both a mischief-maker and a protector in Bidayuh folklore.

The mask’s eyes are wide and bulbous, protruding dramatically from deeply recessed sockets and ringed with traces of weathered gold paint. These large eyes are more than ornamental; they represent a heightened spiritual sight — the ability to perceive the invisible world of ancestors, spirits, and nature forces.

The nose is sharply carved, adding definition to the otherwise rounded contours of the face. Below, the mouth is opened in a crooked, snarling grin, exposing a vivid array of jagged teeth. The two large fangs, accentuated with earthy red and black pigment, add a sense of menace and supernatural potency. These features evoke the raw, untamed nature of the forest and the spirits believed to inhabit it.

The surface of the mask reveals a patina earned through time and ceremonial use. The light wood has darkened in places with age, and the pigment has flaked away in areas, suggesting it was worn in active rituals or dances. Its sides are punctuated with small holes, likely used to fasten the mask securely to the dancer’s head or attach it to a headdress.

Used during community rituals such as harvest festivals (Gawai) or healing ceremonies, this mask would have been worn by a costumed dancer performing movements meant to invoke ancestral spirits, entertain, or protect. In Bidayuh culture, the monkey figure is often symbolic of wild knowledge, agility, and the unpredictable — qualities revered and feared in equal measure.

H – 26 x 16 x 9 cm / 303 g

Price include shipping by air mail worldwide.

(Stand is for photography purpose only not included)