Impressive Bedu Secret Society Mask

The Nafana people of central north-west Ghana and northeast Côte d’Ivoire developed the Bedu Secret Society only in the last century and a quarter; the first recording of Bedu masks appeared in the 1930s. The society likely succeeded the Sakrobundi Secret Society, an anti-witchcraft movement that was banned by the British due to the violent punishments inflicted upon supposed sorcerers. The Bedu society is charged with the less malignant function of village purification during an annual, monthslong New Year’s celebration, as well as during harvest festivals and funerals. In Nafana myth, the Bedu itself represents a mythical ox-like beast that cured a sick child and later disappeared into the bush. Throughout the ceremonial month, “male/female masked pairs appear at night, modeling ideal behavior and satirizing inappropriate actions. The masquerade serves to purify and unify the community, promoting social order and fertility and warding off disease,” (African Art at the Denver Art Museum). Although intended to be worn over the face, the masks are made of relatively light wood due to their exceptional size. Indeed, although tremendous, this mask is remarkably light. Male Bedu masks, such as this example, have crescent-shaped horns, while the superstructure of female masks are disc-like.

This particular mask comes from the estate collection of modern art collector and dealer Allan Stone, who acquired it from J.J. Klejman in 1964. Provided with a removable black, all metal base.

97″

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