A large wood plank mask from West Africa used by the Gurunsi people. The mask represents Bedu, an animal spirit that lives in the wilderness. This is a female Bedu mask, identified by the round disk above the head (male masks have horns).

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In legend the Bedu was discovered in the bush by a father who’s child was unwell and they took a journey to search for medicinal plant routes. The Bedu is thought to have appeared from the woods and touched the child who was later cured of illness... then the animal disappeared.