Bedu means 'moon'. These Masks are the largest on the African continent. Masquaredes use them in dances in male and female pairs. The masks are used to protect the villagers from danger, encourage fertility and to perform dances to educate the community on socially acceptable behaviour.
These large scale masks required enormous stamina and physical strength to wear and were danced in masquerades for hours only by the strongest of young men and women. These feats of endurance drew an excitement and awe from the assembled throng. This demonstration of identity, pride in the village unity kept the people united.