Although many of Hurley's photographs were clearly arranged for the camera—including this one, showing a very rare form of mask—the images nevertheless provide our only record of the pictured objects' existence. Similarly to kanipu, these masks were said to be used to enforce bans on taking coconuts that were needed for ceremonial feasts. Hurley also made silent film footage of these masks in motion.

Play a video of these figures being danced.

Approximately ten years after Hurley created his photographs, smaller masks resembling this type were photographed in a different village by John Vandercook.