The Return • Kapi, 2015
The Return ⢠Kapi, 2015
The dat spirit masks (front to back) Kur, Bo, Kayir, Jut and Osakat, Pas, and manimar Hamtar emerge from the jungle in the jipae resurrection feast in Kapi. They are representations of a deceased member of the family or an ancestor. Once an ancestor is called forth to return among the people, they will never to feature again in future jipae feasts.
The datâs masks are exchanged between clans in the jeu (longhouse), for men from each clan to wear. They will spend the night with the villagers, mostly dancing, before symbolically return to safan (Asmat for heaven) the following morning.