Animal Kingdom Artifact: Bedu Mask

   It's been far too long since we've featured an Animal Kingdom Artifact on this blog...regardless of the fact that I collected a few hundred photos this past October.  Among these are this insanely gorgeous mask.

   Made by the Kulango people of the Ivory Coast and Burkina-Faso, though it doesn't say, I'm pretty sure this is a mask of a cow or other cattle. Bedu masks are plank based masks that are worn by dancers who are believed to rid the village of evil spirits.  Bedu masks are a common trope throughout the peoples of Western Africa, and have an ancient and rich tradition of awesomeness.

   I forgot to make a note of where at Animal Kingdom Lodge this guy is displayed. (whoops...) But since I don't see him too often I'm assuming at the end of a corridor somewhere.  This is one of the better mask examples at the lodge, and I love the raffia flourishes...which add so much to the bedu dancing.  Oh Animal Kingdom Lodge, how we adore you. 

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