Bassa masquerader performing Geh-naw forehead mask, Ganta Mission, Liberia

"The Bassa, one of the largest Kru-speaking peoples in the central coastal region and adjacent hinterland of Liberia, have several female and male societies, including the Chu-den-zo, to whom geh-naw mask belong. With graceful, gliding dances the geh-naw masqueraders entertain the spectators when initiated boys return from bush camp, when important guests visit the village, and on other festive occasions. The dancer wears the mask, which is attached to a woven framework, on his forehead, and looks through a slit in the fabric which is part of the costume that covers his head and upper body (Dorsinville/Meneghini,1973; Siegmann, 1988)." [Hahner-Herzog I., Kecskesi M., Vajda L., 1998: African Mask. Prestel-Verlag, Munich . New York]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.