Unusual Dayak Bidayuh Ceremonial Mask

Unusual Dayak Bidayuh Ceremonial Mask with Crocodile Motif

This striking and unusual ceremonial mask originates from the Bidayuh people, one of the major Dayak tribes of Borneo. Expertly hand-carved from softwood, the mask exhibits a powerful fusion of anthropomorphic and zoomorphic features that likely connect to ritualistic or mythological symbolism.

The face is sculpted with bold, exaggerated features — arched brows, almond-shaped eyes, and a pronounced nose — painted in earthy tones of ochre, black, and deep red. The expression is both fierce and contemplative, possibly representing a spiritual intermediary or ancestral spirit.

What sets this mask apart is the dramatic carving of a crocodile head emerging from the open mouth area, a rare and symbolic element. The crocodile — with visible scales, a gaping jaw of detailed teeth, and coiled tail — appears to be bursting forth from within, symbolizing primal power, danger, or transformation. In Dayak mythology, the crocodile is often seen as a river guardian and a spirit of transition, playing a role in birth, death, and passage between worlds.

The fusion of human and beast in this mask likely suggests a shamanic or liminal figure — one that straddles both the physical and spiritual realms. It may have been worn during rituals involving initiation, healing, or protection, where the wearer embodied the strength and fearsome nature of the crocodile spirit.

H – 32 x 16 x 11 cm / 501 g

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