I missed the hike the other day but was fascinated by the following information gleaned from my partner. Duncan’s Maori guide John explained the origin of the facial carving. Maori’s value the bones but not the flesh of the deceased so after death they placed the bodies in trees to let nature take its course. Then they cleaned and buried the bones. This practice has been discontinued for obvious reasons! Apparently maggots eat the flesh away in the pattern shown in this type of carving. This individual looks a bit fiercer than Duncan. Don’t you think?
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