The Husk Face Society is a cultural group known for its unique traditions and ceremonial roles, particularly during significant agricultural celebrations. Members, both men and women, create distinctive masks woven from cornhusks, which symbolize their connection to agricultural spirits.

The masks made of corn husks, also called bushy-heads or husk faces, are sometimes associated with the Husk Face Society. These masks usually embody, or are inhabited by spirits associated with the corn harvest or with growing grains.

The arrival of the False Faces is heralded by another medicine society that uses masks made of corn husk. If a sick person is found, a healing ritual may be performed using tobacco and singing.

The Husk Face Society company may be made up of men, but some dress as women and participate in the dances as if they were women. They have power to cure by blowing hot ashes.

Aug 9, 2006 · The most famous are the corn husk masks of the Husk Face Society and the carved wooden masks of the False Face Society. The grimacing False Faces, which were used by the Iroquois in the curing rites of the False Face Society, are especially notable.

The Huskers, a mutual aid club, represented thirty strange beings with corn husk faces. 13 The lack of information on these delicate masks reflects, to a certain extent, the fact that they are still used in certain sacred ceremonies.

Recognizing that there exist two distinct masking societies among the Iroquois people of the Long House faith indoctrinated by the Seneca prophet Handsome Lake during the first fifteen years of the nineteenth century, we encounter the rites and properties of the False Face Medi- cine Society for one and those of the Husk Face Society for the other.

The paraphernalia of this society consist of the masks previously mentioned, turtleshell rattles (snapping turtles only), hickory bark rattles, head throws, a leader's pole upon which is fastened a small husk face, a small wooden false face, and a small turtle rattle, and a tobacco basket.

When medicine society members wear False Faces or Husk Faces in curing rituals and religious ceremonies, they portray supernaturals and thus become endowed with their power. Both men and women who have been cured become members of the Society of Faces, but only the men wear masks and can cure.

Masks of the Iroquois False Face Society and Corn Husk Society figure prominently in the story. The Iroquois rightfully discourage any display of masks, or ownership outside of the medicine societies.