Karajás Indigenous Mask | Brazil

The Brazilian indigenous ethnic diversity is one of the sources of inspiration for the creation of wooden masks at Curral da Cor. By returning to the development of unique pieces for each ethnic group, the atelier from Minas Gerais made an enriching craft work, both for its aesthetic and cultural value, promoting a new meaning for the decoration of environments with ethnic style.

Indigenous masks like the Carajás mask show the cultural memory of the tribe through the details of the colorful painting. Located on the banks of the Araguaia River that runs through Goiás, Mato Grosso and Tocantins, this indigenous ethnic group in Brazil brings body painting with patterns inspired by nature (fauna and flora) as a significant element for social transitions (birth, puberty/initiation and death) . The circles (omarura) tattooed with genipap ink and soot on the face of the Indian wounded with a dogfish tooth, during the second initiation, are the most relevant.

The importance of feather art from the Karajá ethnic group is also represented with artistic value in this decorative object. As well as the ceramic artifacts - especially the dolls which, in addition to their recreational function, act as an instrument of female socialization as they are inspired by myths, rituals and the everyday life of adult life - the feather adornments such as the lori lori headdress, the earrings and the headdress raheto are extremely elaborate and make explicit the value of material culture in the ritualistic context of the indigenous people.

An enriching work of art to add value to the decor!

Mask only dimensions:
Height 22cm x Width 16cm