LARGE DANCED BETE NYABA MASK /HIDES Start Price USD 249.99 Current Price USD 249.99 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 399.99 Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, August 28, 2008 End Time Thursday, September 04, 2008 Location TANQUE VERDE VALLEY See more about ' LARGE DANCED BETE NYABA MASK /HIDES' Description  N'GERE WOBE BETE TRIBE NYABA   MASK16" tall    x  12" across    . Age  ( est ) 30 years   The Bete and Gere people reside in Ivore' Coast, just south of the Guro. Religion, omnipresent in Bete life, aims to maintain a harmonious relationship between nature and the ancestors, who are responsible for the welfare of the    tribe. Elaborate masquerades and ceremonies are performed by the men of  the tribe who belong to dance societies. According to the book, THE TRIBAL   ARTS OF AFRICA byBacquart: "Bete carvers are renowned for one particular type of face mask which has exaggerated features- a large   protruding mouth,an elongated nose,with nostrils sometimes extending to each side of the face, and globular eyes set beneath a high domed forehead carved with a medium ridge. Historically, this type of mask was worn toprepare men for war; nowadays,it is worn for a variety of ceremonies, including entertainment dances." These masks were influenced by the tradition of their western neighbors, the "We". The Bete grew only what was needed for a subsistence economy and placed more importance on the hunt. To render the hostile forces of the forest material, they sculpted a type of mask that would provoke terror: the "gre", with its grimacing face, distorted features facial  protuberances, bulging forehead. Tthe Bete  live in the southwestern part of the country, between the Akan ethnic groups to the east and the Guro tribe to the north. They number about 600,000 and are an agricultural group. Patrilinear, the Bete live – under the ancestors’ authority – in small “headless” villages. Historically they were hunters, but nowadays they also farm. They grow what is needed for a subsistence economy. They also have linked to the market economy and much of their effort is devoted to the cultivation of cacao and coffee. Religion, omnipresent in Bete life, aims to maintain a harmonious relationship between nature and the ancestors who are responsible for the welfare of the tribe. Today the vast majority still follow their traditional African religion, believing in a creator God Lago, but do not pray to or worship him. Instead they seek help from many lesser spirits supposed to have supernatural power to help them, or give protection--spirits of their ancestors, spirits that inhabit trees, rivers, rocks, etc. They observe many customs and taboos and make sacrifices of eggs, chickens, cows, etc. Each ritual focuses on the maintenance and care of good relations with the world of ancestors, so as to assure the protection of the lineages. The religious cults give rise to numerous mask performances, during the course of which the music assumes fundamental importance. The apprenticeship of male youngsters particularly concentrates on the mastery of these arts. In fact, within a village context the men form into veritable dance societies, membership in which is indispensable. 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. CONDITION IS EXCELLENT, WEAR ON INSIDE. WONDERFUL  PATINA.WOOD,STAINS, OCHRE, SKINS , BRADS  SHIPPING IS $ 30.00 +/-  USA $ 50.00 +/- FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS  I DOUBLE BOX THESE   VALUE: $ 800.00 + *** Please note that all old used Arts will have minor imperfections, chips, age cracks and other minor irregularities. *** If you cannot live with that or want a perfect piece, Please do not bid as old used items are never perfect. I will try my best to point out anything beyond that in my item descriptions. PLEASE READ THE LISTING BEFORE BIDDING . DO NOT BID IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO PAY. Return Policy: CREDIT POLICIES Buyer prepays, plus shipping and handling.   Winning bidders outside of the United States recieve Air Mail. After the auction has ended, I will send you email notification of your winning bid, requesting your shipping information. 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