Liberia. Bassa Geh people. Ceremonial old mask. Decorated with leather and bronze studs. 29x18x16 cm- 901 gr. Bassa artistic tradition has been also influenced by their north-eastern neighbors, the Dan, who live on the Côte d’Ivoire. The Bassa have several female and male societies, including chu-den-zo, to whom gela (geh-naw) masks belong. Bassa carvers are famed for their gela masks worn during the no men's society ceremonies when the wearer of the mask moves with feminine and elegant grace. The 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. Because they are fixed on a framework, the interior of most such masks shows no signs of wear