The Leaf of Beauty

Mask of a beautiful woman, painted glossy white as a symbol of communion with tribal ancestors. Both the mouth and narrow, enlongated nose are drawn, with the former painted black, a symbol of power; the eyes are hollow and enable the wearer to see through them. The thickly-drawn, heavy eyebrows are also painted black, and a leaf is drawn in the center of the forehead as a symbol of beauty. The entire top of her head is painted a glossy black, and above it rests a headpiece that transforms into her hair, which is gathered in braids down both sides of her face.