With their mosaics of feathers in the shape of a huge face these cara grande masks are among the largest and most impressive in the whole of South America. They make their appearance at boys' initiation rituals, where they are regarded as trophy heads, representing the spirits of enemies killed in battle. Their names may only be uttered in the merest whisper, and the masks themselves must be treated with great respect. The mask spirits are honoured and propitiated with food, music and dance so that they will not pose a threat to the coming generation of young warriors. The masks are made in the men's house. The various colours of the feathers are prescribed by custom and have a symbolic meaning which is based on mythic traditions.
