Egungun Masquerade Costume
Date: 20th Century
Related People: Egungun
Dimensions: H. approx. 60 in. (152.4 cm)Medium: Cloth, wood, beads, coins, cowrie shells, and sequins
http://collection.ncartmuseum.org/collection11/view/objects/asitem/id/3227
Date: 20th Century
Related People: Egungun
Dimensions: H. approx. 60 in. (152.4 cm)Medium: Cloth, wood, beads, coins, cowrie shells, and sequins
http://collection.ncartmuseum.org/collection11/view/objects/asitem/id/3227
Masking and Masquerades are a very important part of Egungun culture. They use dance performances using masks to perform celebrations or spiritual/religious practices. These masquerades are also part of each society’s way of the elders teaching social norms to the young of their community. Egungun costumes are made of cloth designed in patchwork panels. They are associated with honoring the spirits of deceased ancestors. There is a lot of participation between the crowd and the maskers. In the masquerade the costume of a European couple is for comical relief. The man carries a ballpoint pen and pad of paper and writes down everything he sees. The couple waltz and disco to the beat of the drums. This is a direct relation to how the Yoruba culture views Europeans and then incorporates that into their performance.