Taproom Artifacts Series: Conde Mask from New Guinea

If you’ve visited our taproom, you’ve likely noticed the unique artifacts in and about the brewery. Like the Explorer Clubs of yesteryear, these artifacts were collected and put on display, with a story waiting to be told. In our Taproom Artifacts series, we’ll do just that — share the history of their origin and any factoids that help tell the story.

This mask was brought to the taproom by Colt Bradley, nephew of Founders Dave and Allison Hamme, who worked in New Guinea for the Peace Corp, and brought it back as a gift to the brewery.

About the Conde Mask

The Conde is a protector mask from Haute Guinea. When French colonists first arrived in Haute Guinea, the villagers welcomed them with a celebration. Part of the festivities included a man wearing a Conde mask dancing for the guests. His dancing was so elaborate that the French mistook him for an animal and expressed their wish to purchase this unique animal. The Chieftain negotiated a price as the Conde disappeared into the nearby brush. Immediately thereafter, the Chief informed the man dressed as the Conde of the sale. The Conde took off the mask, returned to the village, and joined the search for the Conde (himself!). This story gave rise to the Conde rule that he prefers to be paid before he works, because if a problem arises afterwards, its not his problem anymore! Today the Conde mask is worn by a person, called the Conde, at all ceremonies including marriages, post-harvest ceremonies, the Fish Festival of Baro, and more. The Conde’s role during these ceremonies is to keep the peace by protecting attendees from those with bad intentions.