"Based primarily on the author's own fieldwork, this book provides an understanding of the artistic life of the Guro people, placing special emphasis on their masks. It furnishes a taxonomy of mask types - sacred, semi-sacred, and entertainment - and presents in-depth profiles of the historically important Guro mask carvers. The process of creating a mask is also thoroughly described, often in the words of the Guro artists themselves." "With over 500 photographs of masterpieces as well as of mask performances and artists in their workshops, this thoughtful and detailed work honors the artistic achievements of the Guro people and serves as an invaluable record for future generations."--book jacket.