Egungun

What is Egungun?

Egungun refers to both the masked figure and the collective spirit of ancestors in Yoruba culture. It serves as a visible bridge between the living and the departed. Performers wear elaborate, multi-layered costumes to transform into these spiritual entities. The dance acts as a communal event where ancestors return to bless families and remind people of ethical standards. It is a powerful display of social prestige and religious devotion within the Yoruba world.

Where does Egungun come from?

The practice originates from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Legends suggest women once controlled the cult but lost power to men through trickery. The term derives from 'Egúngún,' meaning the collective dead. Variations exist across towns like Ibadan and Ogbomoso. The tradition spread to Brazil via the diaspora, particularly on Itaparica island. It remains a core element of Yoruba identity and ancestral worship.

How is Egungun danced?

Dancers whirl vigorously, causing the long cloth lappets of their costumes to fly outward. This motion creates a 'breeze of blessing' associated with wind deities. Attendants guide the masked figures through crowds using separate masquerade costumes. The performers mime behaviors to expose community strengths and weaknesses. They move in processions to marketplaces and gather for staged performances before spectators.

The music of Egungun

Drumming accompanies the rhythmic movements of the dancers. Women participate by singing oriki, which are praise poems detailing family histories. The music supports the trance-like state of the performers. Choral responses from the audience engage with the spiritual presence. The soundscape reinforces the connection between the physical dance and the invoked spirits.

Costume and what is carried

The ensemble features an inner sack made of indigo and white Aso-Oke cloth, resembling a burial shroud. Face and hands are covered by netting to hide the wearer's identity. Outer layers consist of expensive textile lappets decorated with sequins, braids, and amulets. Metallic objects catch light during movement. Amulets containing medicinal preparations provide spiritual protection for the vulnerable dancer.

When and where Egungun is danced

Festivals occur annually, with specific days assigned to different lineages. Elders known as Alagba preside over family rites. Community priests invoke ancestors through drumming and dance. The event strengthens bonds between families and the deceased. It promotes trade and social cohesion across religious beliefs. Performances conclude with messages and warnings delivered to the assembled crowd.

Styles of Egungun

Different towns feature distinct types such as Danafojura in Ogbomoso and Elewe in Ìgbómìnà regions. Costumes vary in wealth and complexity based on family status. Some ensembles are repaired yearly, while others are replaced entirely through divination. The Brazilian tradition maintains the cult on Itaparica island with local adaptations. Classification remains complex due to overlapping categories and layering practices.

What Egungun means

Egungun embodies the Yoruba belief in the ongoing influence of ancestors. It reinforces social order by compelling adherence to past ethical standards. The ritual highlights the separation of genders, with men masking and women supporting. It represents a reunion of the sacred and worldly through fabric layers. The tradition persists as a vital expression of heritage and spiritual continuity.

Questions people ask about Egungun

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• Nigeria's Egungun festival: Colour, culture and communityBBC, Article

• Egungun on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos and video on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data
• Videos of Egungun on YouTubeSearch results, not chosen by Ghungroo