movable heritage

The Oton Gold Death Mask

• The Oton Gold Death Mask is a significant archaeological artifact from the Philippines
• It reflects the rich cultural heritage and burial practices of ancient Filipinos
• It provides insights into their social, cultural, and artistic life, particularly their beliefs about the afterlife
• It's one of the few known gold burial masks in the country

What is the Oton Gold Death Mask?

• Made of gold sheet cut into eye and nose forms
• Gold is a soft metal, shaped by beating and forging, then stretched and shaped
• The shaped gold is decorated through repoussage and embossing

Cultural Significance

• The burying of the dead with face covers was an ancient burial practice in the Philippines
• The early Bisayans believed the gold coverings protected the dead from evil spirits who wanted to occupy the dead body
• The brightness of the gold was believed to drive away evil spirits

The Katagman Festival

• The town of Oton, Iloilo celebrates its Katagman Festival every May
• High school students dress in colorful costumes, with their eyes and noses covered in gold-colored paper
• Katagman was the pre-Hispanic name of San Antonio, Oton, where the first gold death mask was discovered in 1973
• Located between the Iloilo and Batiano rivers, Oton was an important port settlement during the 1300s, playing a role in the flourishing maritime trade in the region

Brief History of the Oton Gold Death Mask

• Discovered in a grave in San Antonio, Oton, Iloilo, alongside other ancient artifacts
• Discovered on June 5, 1967, during systematic archaeological excavations
• Led by NM anthropologists Alfredo Evangelista and F. Landa Jocano
• The death mask was declared a National Cultural Treasure
• Estimated to be from the late 14th to early 15th century
• It has two parts: an eye cover (13.3 cm long, 2.5 cm wide), and a nose piece (16.3 cm long, 5.5 cm wide)
• Weighs 13.09 grams

Other Death Masks

• The Oton Death Mask is one of several gold masks found in pre-colonial graves
• Most ancient gold artifacts in the country are associated with burial sites
• The National Museum has three sets of gold death masks: Oton, Cebu City, and Butuan

Potential Elements of the Oton Gold Death Mask

• Challenges: Preservation and Conservation, Limited Historical Interpretation, Public Awareness, Resource Constraints
• Opportunities: Cultural Tourism and Promotion, Increased Research and Collaboration
• Monetization: While direct commercialization isn't ideal, educational programs, museum tours, and exhibitions can generate income.
• Exposure: Greater media exposure through documentaries, exhibitions, and collaborations with international museums could increase public interest
• Strategies: Partnerships with academic institutions and digital archiving are key to preserving and promoting the mask and offering virtual museum experiences to expand global access.

Conclusion

• The Oton gold death mask is a valuable cultural artifact and testament to the rich history and traditions of pre-colonial Philippine civilizations
• It provides a glimpse into the complex spiritual beliefs and burial rituals of the ancient Visayans, as well as their advanced metalworking skills
• The mask's discovery provides valuable insights into the social structure, trade, and cultural practices of early Philippine societies