Gle War Mask

The beté masks, in general, have a certain analogy with the guerées. They are characterized by the ferocity and strength of their appearance, solid, with numerous reliefs. Front protruding with bowing, with facial protections that look like bumpers, sometimes fangs of facocero, and fangs or horns, real or wooden, that give the impression of wanting to hug. Its features are exaggerated, eye bumps, wide nasal fins, superimposed by thick wooden semicircles or concentric horns as if they were thick spider legs that are touched. The mouth is usually protruding and on it, often a kind of large moustache in the form of a very wide “W” rises. They tend to be lined with upholstery studs, whose use is characteristic in the ornamentation of beté masks. They were also effective in the fight against sorcery. They have a social, judicial and apotropaic function. They usually wear a relief median line that goes down from the top of the forehead to the nose as well as some masks DanTraditionally, they were masks of war designed to frighten the enemy and make its fighters hot. These last masks are called a spider mask. This mácra was in charge of protecting the bridges of lianas that were built in one night and prevented people from crossing them because the footwear could deteriorate their fragile structure. Dance at the opening of these bridges.

They are currently used in popular celebrations or in entertainment to welcome important personalities. Mask of solid appearance and heavy wood. Patina grisacea.