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Kumugwa – The Undersea King

This mask represents Kumugwa, the undersea King. Cook cites his people’s strong connection to the sea as the reason behind carving this mask. “These masks come in many diverse styles, so that’s appealing to me too. It gives me freedom to create within my unique style,” he says.

Kumugwa is the King of the Undersea World, Master and Protector of the Seals, who were a symbol of wealth. His name means “Wealthy One,” and he ruled from a great, rich house under the water. The house contained great wealth in blankets, coppers and other treasures. Many human supplicants of the legendary history tried to research this kingdom and those ancestral heroes who achieved their goal became wealthy and powerful.