The wooden mask maker

Artisan Briu Nga, of the Co Tu ethnic group, lives in ALiêng Ravăh village, Song Kon commune, Da Nang city. Besides farming and livestock breeding, he also dedicates his time and passion to wood carving.

His sculptures include round statues, reliefs, masks, etc., used to decorate and beautify the burial houses ( ping ) and traditional village houses ( gươl ). Notably, he is one of the rare sculptors of the Cơ Tu ethnic community who still knows how to craft wooden masks ( pahây ). Wooden masks are a primitive art form closely associated with the religious and spiritual life of the ethnic group.

To sustain his craft and keep his passion alive, he occasionally carves a few masks to supply private collectors on "order." He also gives some of his favorite pieces to the villagers of Giàn Bí hamlet (Hải Vân ward, Da Nang city) to decorate and display in their communal house, showcasing their collection of representative ethnographic artifacts during traditional festivals and cultural exchanges organized by the local government.

Artist Briu Nga is crafting a wooden mask.