Native American art. The mask is about 13" high not counting the cedar bark. Red cedar, hand carved by Squamish artist Mathew Baker. An orca's head juts out of the forehead with its body is painted on the temples.
Kumukwa is the Chief of the Undersea World. The word translates to 'copper maker' or 'wealthy one'. He is believed to reside in an underwater house, a source of immense wealth and power. The mask's signifies Kumukwa's ability to bestow riches upon those who honour him. The dances performed while wearing the mask serve to acknowledge Kumukwa's generosity and to reinforce the importance of sharing wealth within the community.
Beyond material wealth, the Kumukwa mask symbolizes spiritual abundance and the interconnectedness of all life. It represents the understanding that true wealth comes from respecting the natural world and maintaining harmonious relationships within the community. The mask serves as a reminder of the importance of generosity, reciprocity, and the enduring power of ancestral traditions.
