FALSE AND HUSK FACES
THE IROQUOIS Barbara Graymont Chelsea House Publishers New York
Philadelphia 1988
“Wood masks ("False Faces") and cornhusk masks ("Husk Faces") are an important part of Iroquois religious practice. The Faces represent spirit beings that have the power to heal.
The Iroquois view illness as a disorder of the natural world caused by evil supernatural beings. The Faces symbolize spirits that bring order and restore health. They share their healing power with humans in exchange for gifts of Indian tobacco and cornmeal, human possessions that these spirits value.
In the spring and fall of every year, the False Faces perform the Traveling Rite to cleanse their village. They publicly visit the homes of all religious traditionalists on the reservation and ceremonially sweep diseases out of their houses. People give the maskers gifts of Indian tobacco. Then the Faces and members of the community go to the longhouse, the traditionalists’ place of worship, for additional rituals and a feast in honor of the Faces. At such ceremonial feasts, foods that the supernaturals are believed to like are served; Hominy (cornmeal mush) and corn soup are preferred by False Faces; popcorn and cornmeal cakes bakes with huckleberries by Husk Faces.
When medicine society members wear False Faces or Husk Faces in curing rituals and religious ceremonies, they portray supernaturals and thus become endowed with their power. Both men and women who have been cured become members of the Society of Faces, but only the men wear masks and can cure.
Many modern Iroquois oppose public display of the sacred False Faces and believe that they should be used only in religious ceremonies.”
Additional Resources:
Courtesy of the Warren County Historical Society
