Facial paralysis in an Inupiaq ceremonial mask

The Inupiak people inhabit North America above the Arctic Circle. During winter, storytelling is an important community activity. Storytellers would enhance the experience for their audience with the use of masks.1 This mask was produced in the late 1800s, utilizing driftwood (figure). It depicts an adult human with facial paralysis. Masks depicting facial paralysis are not uncommon north of the Arctic Circle (e.g., reference 2). Cold temperatures play a role in the development of facial nerve injury clinically, and in animal studies.3 The representation of facial paralysis in masks may inform about Bell palsy in these cultures.