Dan - Bete, Cote d’Ivoire
GRE Mask. The 370,000 Bete are divided into ninety-three groups. Lacking centralized power, the Bete were grouped together in relatively major villages, containing several lineages. Each lineage had a totemic animal whose meat was taboo. The most senior member of the lineage exercised a moral and judicial power, notably in terms of awarding land. The Bete, who ascribed more importance to the hunt than to agriculture, grew only what was needed for their subsistence economy
Bete carvers are renowned for one particular type of
face mask, the gre or nyabwa , which has exaggerated, grimacing
distorted features – a large protruding mouth, facial protuberances, bulging
forehead, elongated nose, with nostrils sometimes extending to each side of the
face, and globular or bulging slit eyes set beneath a high-domed forehead carved
with a medium ridge. In earlier days, this mask presided over the ceremony held
when peace was restored after armed conflicts and it participated in sessions of
customary justice. This type of mask was also worn to prepare men for war; the
masks offered magical protection by instilling fear and terror in potential
enemies. Nowadays, it is worn for a variety of ceremonies, including
entertainment dances.
#N3D5M330 Size 11 x 7 $240 + 47 (S + H)
