Bedu Mask - Kulango People - Ivory Coast - SOLD

Price: $0.00


 


The Bondoukou district, located in the Northeastern Ivory Coast is inhabited by several ethnic groups that do not occupy clearly defined territories & whose cultures often intermingle.Among these, the Nafana Hwela & Kulango peoples all have the Bedu masquerade. It is among the largest mask in Africa, yet the tradition is one of the youngest. It replaced the anti-witchraft Sakarabounou cult in the early 1930's. The Bedu deals with common problems such as social conflicts , illness, & celebrates traditional & family values. This is to obtain community harmony, health, children and good crops. Although the masquerade can be performed for special protection in time of trouble, normally the masks appear during the winter solstice festival of Zaurau. At that time, the entire community is involved in a month-long series of dramatic, even cathartic activities. The focus of the festival is a pair of masks, one male, the other female. The type with horns is the male, & those with disc superstructures are the female.

63"H x 26.5"W x 3.5"D