False Face Society
The societies role within communities is to cure ailments through medical rituals, with the False Face Society having power over illness affecting teeth, ears, joints, illness causing inflammation, and nosebleeds.
In 1995, the Haudenosaunee Grand Council issued a statement condemning the circulation and exhibition of masks used in medicinal rituals.
Little did he know that Shonkwaia'tison had moved the mountain so close to the stranger's back that when he turned to look he struck his face on it.
The force of the impact bent his nose and left one side of his face crooked.
Iroquois oral history tells the beginning of the False Face tradition.
According to the accounts, the Creator Shöñgwaia'dihsum ('our creator' in Onondaga), blessed with healing powers in response to his love of living things, encountered a stranger, referred to in Onondaga as Ethiso:da' ('our grandfather') or Hado'ih (IPA: [haduʔiʔ]), and challenged him in a competition to see who could move a mountain.
Ethiso:da' managed to make the mountain quake and move but a small amount.
Shöñgwaia'dihsum then employed Ethiso:da' to protect his children from disease and sickness.
But knowing the sight of Ethiso:da' was not suitable for his children's eyes, Shöñgwaia'dihsum banished him to live in caves and great wooded forests, only to leave when called upon to cure or interact through dreams.
Hadú7i7 inspires the unique elements of the mask's design and the resulting product represents the spirit himself, imbued with his powers.
Because the masks are carved into trees that are alive, they are similarly considered to be living and breathing.
[1] They are served parched whitecorn mush and given small pouches of tobacco as payment for services.
During the main part of the ritual, the False Face members, wearing masks, go through houses in the community, driving away sickness, disease and evil spirits.
The False Face members use turtle shell rattles, shaking them and rubbing them along the floors and walls.
The arrival of the False Faces is heralded by another medicine society that uses masks made of corn husk.
The people bring tobacco which is collected as they arrive, and burned when the ceremony begins.
The ceremony itself is meant to renew and re-strengthen the power of the gathered masks, as well as the spirit of Hadu7i7 in general.
Other, smaller versions occur during the Midwinter Festival, and at an individual's home as requested.
To this day, the Iroquois believe that the being protects them in times of need, redirecting fierce winds that threaten them and healing those who are ill.
The Grand Council of the Haudenosaunee has opposed the sale of False Face masks to private collectors and museums.
Many Haudenosaunee also campaign to regain possession of masks that remain with private collectors or museums.
