Headdress (susiu)

Maskers wore these elaborate basketry headdresses during initiation rites for young men. The human-like facial features recall Sulka men's adornments, such as nose plugs and elongated earlobes. The back flap in the shape of a fish tail is said to be derived from a spirit that the maker of the mask had seen in a dream. During performances, a long skirt of betel palm leaves concealed the masker.

Artists take months to fabricate the giant basketry headdresses that Sulka maskers wear to embody spirits during initiation rites for young men. There are two types of susiu masks: non representational headdresses (o ptaek), and figurative headdresses (o nunu) such as this one. The masks are complicated structures. Around an inner frame of rattan, the maker of this headdress meticulously attached tightly woven coils of reed pith to rattan struts. The conical face has elongated earlobes and a septum pierced for attachments, recalling Sulka men's adornments. Affixed to the mouth is a wood plaque showing bared teeth and the tongue. Above the protruding brow, which is crowned with a plume of cassowary feathers, a ridged head crest sweeps back as a long fishtail extension. The mask's starting colors derive from native plants and minerals; blacks and greens highlight details on the originally red surface that has faded to a pale pink. The back flap is associated with a spirit that the maker of the mask had seen in a dream. During performance, a cloak of vegetable material conceals the body of the masker, and a bright green collar of fresh leaves surrounds the headdress.