Since the 17th century, Egungun (meaning masquerade) festivals have been held across the Yoruba region to honor and embody the ancestors through song, dance, clothing, and offerings. The garments and masks worn during the week-long celebrations are not just symbols of Yoruba tradition, but also reminders to take a step back from modern life.
The colorful and ornate garments worn during these festivals are made with expensive fabric and with close attention to detail, because the dancers know that the spirits of their ancestors are fueling them.
The colorful and ornate garments worn during these festivals are made with expensive fabric and with close attention to detail, because the dancers know that the spirits of their ancestors are fueling them.
The designs of the clothing and masks are a way of connecting and communicating with ancestors. This ancestral connection is so strong that masquerade observers are banned from standing near the dancers.
Egungun is still celebrated in Africa and the Caribbean. The tradition reminds us that what we do in the past, present, and future all matter when it comes to achieving our liberation.