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Why did Iroquois False Face Society masks have to be carved from living trees?
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Native American art
Pottery created by the Hohokam people, made of buff clay and painted with red designs.
The Iroquois False Face Society masks were carved from living trees because they were believed to be powerful, living entities themselves. By carving the mask directly from a tree while it was still alive, the mask was imbued with the spirit and vitality of the wood, allowing it to function as a potent agent capable of curing the sick when properly cared for.1
These masks were treated with great reverence, as they were considered capable of causing significant harm if handled disrespectfully. Because of their status as sacred living entities, many Iroquois tribes have sought to remove these masks from public exhibition in museums and books to maintain the respect due to their spiritual significance.1