NAFANA Plank Mask (Bedu)

A large flat wooden mask (1st half 20th C., 134 cm) from the Nafana of the Ivory Coast — a massive sweeping crescent or disc at the top, a geometric face with tubular eyes below, faded polychrome pigments.

1. The Architecture of the Moon

The Bedu mask of the Nafana is instantly recognizable by its towering two-dimensional architecture. The defining feature is the massive open crescent or full disc at the summit — explicitly linking the mask to lunar cycles, the changing of the seasons, and the cosmic forces that dictate agricultural fertility.

2. A Festival of Inclusion

Unlike the terrifying, secretive masks of the Poro society (which women are forbidden to see), the Bedu is a mask of community inclusion. Danced during a month-long winter festival (the Zaurau), the Bedu masquerader enters the village at night to bless the community, cure illnesses, and ensure female fertility. Women are actively involved in the ceremonies, singing and interacting with the spirit.

3. Graphic Polychrome Design

The mask is painted with natural earth pigments — typically red ocher, white chalk, and black soot — in alternating geometric patterns. These checkerboards and triangles represent the moral duality of the universe (good/evil, male/female, night/day). The visual rhythm was designed to dazzle the audience as the dancer spun by firelight.

Summary

The Nafana Bedu is a towering beacon of community healing. At 134 cm, its massive lunar crest and vibrant graphic patterns create a joyful, inclusive spirit designed to bless the entire village.