TITLE: Bassa Geh-Naw
TYPE: forehead mask
GENERAL REGION: Africa
COUNTRY: Liberia
ETHNICITY: Bassa
DESCRIPTION: Geh-Naw Nor Society Forehead Mask
CATALOG ID: AFLR001
MAKER: Unknown
CEREMONY: Nor Society
FUNCTION: Adult Initiation; Celebration; Secret Society
AGE: ca. 1980s
MAIN MATERIAL: hardwood
OTHER MATERIALS: N/A
The Bassa people inhabit the central coastal region of Liberia. They have several secret societies for both males and females, and some societies have socially important masking functions. The geh-naw mask is used by the Nor Society. It is fixed to a wicker framework and worn on the forehead over a cloth and raffia costume during adult initiation ceremonies for boys. The dancer glides around to the beat of drums, seeing only through holes in the basketry sustaining the mask.
