Dayak Bidayuh Ritual Mask For Men With Hornbill Head

Dayak Bidayuh Ritual Mask for Men with Hornbill Head

Origin: Dayak Bidayuh Tribe

This striking ritual mask originates from the Dayak Bidayuh people of Borneo and is traditionally worn by men during ceremonial dances and spiritual performances. Skillfully hand-carved from lightweight wood, the mask features a prominent and symbolic hornbill crest at the top—a revered bird in Borneo culture, often associated with divine messengers, warrior spirits, and ancestral power.

The facial design of the mask is minimalist yet expressive, with elongated almond-shaped eye slits framed by painted white or light yellow pigment, enhancing the intensity of the gaze. The nose is sharply defined, leading down to a stylized black mustache-like motif, likely symbolizing masculinity or elder status. The mouth is open and painted a deep red, hinting at vocal expression or chant during ritual use.

The central crest, painted in earthy red tones, mimics the hornbill’s beak and plume, symbolizing strength, wisdom, and spiritual authority. Its vertical extension also evokes a warrior’s headdress or plume, reinforcing the masculine and protective essence of the mask.

Used in communal dances, healing rites, or spirit-invoking ceremonies, such masks serve as a medium for ancestral presence and transformation, allowing the wearer to embody the sacred spirit of the hornbill and channel protective or benevolent forces upon the village.

H – 31 x 15.5 x 18 cm / 389 g

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