Helmet Mask (Gbetu) with Raffia Costume
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
Gbetu is a men’s masquerade performed primarily for secular entertainment. While a genre owned and performed by men, gbetu is considered to be feminine, as she is seen to “give birth” to small dancing figures that appear to emerge from beneath her raffia skirt, perform, and then return to her folds.
Each mask is owned, controlled, and performed by a specific household (known as a gbonji), and is accompanied by its own proprietary music and choreography. Gbetu dances in a highly energetic, acrobatic manner, advancing in broad swishing motions, making full use of the head-to-toe raffia covering.
Caption
Gola. Helmet Mask (Gbetu) with Raffia Costume, early to mid 20th century. Wood, pigment, metal, raffia, 93 x 48 in. (236.2 x 121.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of William C. Siegmann, 2011.53.1a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2011.53.1a-b_PS6.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Helmet Mask (Gbetu) with Raffia Costume
Date
early to mid 20th century
Geography
Place made: Grand Cape Mount or Lofa County, Liberia
Medium
Wood, pigment, metal, raffia
Classification
Dimensions
93 x 48 in. (236.2 x 121.9 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of William C. Siegmann
Accession Number
2011.53.1a-b
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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