This mask from the Northwest Coast features one of the more fantastical beings in the Northwest Coast: Dzunuk’wa, or Wild Woman. In legend, she was twice as large as a human and rumored to carry a large basket of captured children who had wandered into her woods. She was also reported to be blind and dull of senses, so the captured children often outsmarted her and escaped.
Dzunuk’wa represents the more dangerous aspects of the forest and was often more animalistic in appearance; her body covered in course black fur. When worn, the dancer will frequently be dressed in a bear skin. Do you see the bear claws on the back of the mask?
It was believed that the dangers of the forest also held a great many secrets. A chief may have a Dzunuk’wa mask in his possession to illustrate that he has captured the knowledge that the woods hold as he addresses his people.