mask

Story of the Kalongo Mask

This mask represents the chief of the forest; it's called "Kalongo". Kalongo comes from the native word Kalog(Kah-log) which means "father of the forest". The mask Kalongo originated in a tribe located in the tropics, called the Wakaca (Wa-Ka-Ka). It was made after a year of drought to help the forest grow. The mask is worn by the eldest member of the tribe during the Wakacie (Wa-Kah-Kee) ceremony. The Wakacie ceremony takes place every year on September 3. During the Wakacie ceremony every child must participate in the ceremonial dance, named after the original tribe leader "Walalee". Everyone dresses in the tribal colour (green) and dances to the Wakaca music. The one who wears the Kalongo mask during the Wakacie ceremony is believed to give strength to the Kalongo spirit which passes through to the forest. It is believed that if the mask is worn by the "son of the forest" the tribe will receive an eternity of healthy plants. The flowers symbolize the growth of the tribe, and another good year to come, while the green tones represent the forest. The green glassy eyes are meant to scare away any unwanted spirits from the surrounding land, protecting the Wakaca tribe and the forest.