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IV. Kamoro masks: the Kamoro Art Festival It has only recently become possible to collect masks in any numbers. The organisers of the Kamoro Art Festival, which has taken place annually since 1998, encourage the use of masks.
Both types appear in the various dance performances, during which myths are re-enacted. However, the dances are restricted in the time taken and number of dancers participating. [46] The mask makers also participate in the public sale forming part of the art festival. During this auction, the artist - whose work has earlier been selected by a jury - presents his work in person to the public, which he often does while dancing.
Both the mask wearer and the auctioneer move rhythmically to the sound of a beaten drum.
When the price rises, the atmosphere becomes better and some of the women join in the dancing. This, in turn, influences the visitors, who begin to offer higher prices, leading to excitement amongst the dancers. When the price finally goes above one million rupiah (roughly one hundred Euros), the general exuberance reaches its peak. When the 'third time' and thus the final bid is announced, universal joy prevails. The high prices encourage the makers to produce more masks, resulting in an increasing number of masks each year.
Although the commercial aspect is certainly important, the mask has not yet lost its traditional value. In 2001, for example, members of a village participating in the Festival were only prepared to enter the Festival grounds if the mask they had brought with them could perform the appropriate ritual. This could be considered a good selling strategy, but at the particular moment there were no potential buyers present. | |
