Strong Monpa mask, Arunachal Pradesh, India, ca 1960

Very Expressive Festival Mask, Monpa People

This mask is a traditional wooden Monpa mask from Arunachal Pradesh, India. The Monpa are an ethnic group from the eastern Himalayas, known for their Buddhist beliefs and rich cultural traditions. Such masks are typically used during religious festivals like the annual Cham dances, a Buddhist ritual in which masked monks perform sacred dances.

The mask often represents a spiritual or mythical figure, such as a deity, demon, or animal. This particular mask depicts a stylized human face with a tight, expressionless form, suggesting a protective or ceremonial function. The rough lines and robust expression symbolize strength, wisdom, or spiritual authority.

Masks like this are used during dances to ward off evil spirits, purify karma, or portray sacred stories. The Monpa believe that by wearing the mask, the wearer temporarily embodies the spirit or power of the represented being. The mask thus serves as a bridge between the human and spiritual worlds.

The patina and wear on the mask indicate that it was likely used in actual rituals. Symbolically, it also represents the cycles of life, death, and rebirth within Tibetan Buddhism.

In summary, this mask is not merely decorative but a powerful spiritual object that plays a central role in Monpa religious traditions. Chip on the back is not disturbing.

Length: 27 cm
Weight: 457 grams
Origin: India
Dating: ca. 1960
Provenance: Acquired through my own in-situ network