MA - KOVAVE
from the Elema People
of the Eastern New Guinea
This collection is inspired by the initiation ceremony of the young boys entering adulthood of the Elema people tribe from New Guinea. Both visual and audio design is research-based on the cultural and spiritual belief systems of indigenous tribes.
The project sees beauty in celebrating the life and the cycle of each clan and their collective identity.
VISUAL: NAOWAO
AUDIO: BRANKS STUDIO
Still from "Ma-Kovave" 2021
The Elema People collection
IDENTITY
The masks are designed with emblems of clan symbols, emphasizing the identity of the clan. Kovave masks enforce the strength of the initiation to adulthood while embodying nature's spirit.
CELEBRATION
"..young men would run along the beach, teasing and terrorizing whatever young boys they might meet and enforcing the taboos placed on gardens and fruit trees." (Weltsch 26)
R. Weltsch, V. Webb, S.Haraha. 2006 Coaxing the Spirits to Dance.