Helmet Mask (Gbetu) with Raffia Costume

early to mid 20th century

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.