Gbetu Devil

This is the Gbetu Devil from Liberia dancing at the Liberian Embassy in DC for the 2008 Liberian "26th" Independence Day Celebration. The Gbetu Devil 'grows and shrinks' as he dances, and he even 'snatched up' an unsuspecting child!

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• liberia
• cultural
• dancers
• african
• masks

[enolStlucie]

It's true, "devil" is the term we learnt. Masked dancers are called devils in the Caribbean too. But now we now know through greater awareness that not all the masqueraders were meant to represent evil spirits but served various functions; maybe it is time we name those meant to be representations of ancestral keepers of morality, protectors, bearers of good luck etc., differently. Why keep the name? Some have apologized for putting this tag on our customs. We too must change! Agree?

[tweefur]

@enolStlucie Devil doesn't just have to be a term synonymous to Lucifer. Another definition is: a person of notable energy, recklessness, and dashing spirit; also : one who is mischievous, which can be applied to many of these 'country devils'. I personally won't change the title because it's what we've grown up knowing them as. Keep the discussion open tho and thanks for your comment.s

[capopreg]

@Sam10kai I am interested in your book and will email you. I do feel that we must AGAIN define our cultures for ourselves. We have let outsiders come in and define us; define us as evil as long as we practice our traditions.

[Sam10kai]

I would preferred calling the gbetu a male masked dancer, for it is exclusively used for entertainment purposes by traditional Liberian. The gbetu originate from the Gola tribe of Liberia of which I am a proud member. I just published a book: “wanted: a man without a scar”. In my book I described in detail the acrobatic moves the gbetu is capable of producing. If you are interested in a copy of my book, please sent me an e-mail: s.mcgee@telfort.nl

[guitarspectre]

abal omuluzinho...

[enolStlucie]

Well thank you: I appreciate your comment. You are on point. The topic is one of interest to me. I will certainly keep in touch.

[enolStlucie]

I found this for those of you interested in the subject: on the internet-- Lester P. Monts--An Annoted Glossary of Vai Musical Language and its Social Contexts.

[Lizzybabeify]

@LabeerehnGbanna

but the term devil is what we African call it, and it's Ben like that since i was born, i know a lot about that but it scares me to talk about it. i think that's why we call it the devil.

[LabeerehnGbanna]

Isn't the term 'masked-dancer' better than the term "devil?" We should stop using maligning terminologies that Westerners use to demonize African culture.