The art of making masks have been in existence since the Paleolithic age. Early discoveries made at 30,000 years-old archeological sites in Teyjat, Dordogne and cave paintings in Lourdes, France indicate that people have been masks depicting faces of wild and haunted animals. It is believed that the one who wears such a mask would be granted extraordinary powers. Masks created for rituals relating to death, spirit worship, casting away evil spirits and curing of diseases caused by the unseen forces are usually designed to look spooky or frightening, often with big boggling eyes, unkempt hairdos, long fangs, and even horns. On the other hand, masks for thanksgiving ceremonies are created with more appealing look using bright colours with a big smile and less scary fangs.
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"Hudo" is a mask made and worn by some of the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak namely the Kenyah and Kayan tribes either for cultural purposes of simply for entertainment. Among mask function is hudo Women Dayak Kenyah and Kayan tribe, wearing Hudo to scare small children who still play outside
sunset. These masks are also worn by spiritual healers when conducting rituals and also during funerals. Mask also known as hudo worn by Kenyah shaman in dances to contact spirits and to represent benevolent rice spirits in dances held in rice fields to promote crop fertility Country of Origin."Hudo KITA" dance is the dance of the Council welcomed the plant as well as to extend our thanks to God who gave a good harvest. Hudos mask used in this dance form human faces and decorated with carvings typical Kenyah tribe.
 
The above picture is other collection of Hudo masks that are lowered in museum of Asian Art, University of Malaya.
The museum of Asian Art has 16 Hudos presented by Mr. Nelson Tan of Sarawak.
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