Southern Abelam people, east Sepik, PNG

Yam masks, known as babmini in the Abelam language, are generally half the size of this enormous example. However it is very finely and tightly woven; it has a beautiful assymetric form with the cockatoo-like face, large bulging eyes and a tall and sinuous headdress above the head. This must have been made for a very large and important yam. Coloration is wonderful – mainly red and yellow, with some white and black.