Southwestern Nigeria

Yoruba

Cloth, thread, glass beads, cowrie shells
Early 20th century
Length: 50 in; Width: 40 in
Other – Regalia – Masquerade

Masquerades for the ancestors are known as egungun (power concealed). The Egungun festival is a part of the Yoruba traditional religion common among the Egbas, Egbados, Oyo and other parts of south western Nigeria. It is performed to mark the death of important personalities and is usually an annual celebration performed within the months of November to April when there is no rain. The body of the dancer is completely covered by layer upon layer of cloth. One can possibly tell the age of a masquerade regalis by examination of the clothes used, since it is not unusual for new cloths to be added each year. The under layers of this costume reveal very old indigo dyed cloth made of homespun cotton.  The outer layers are made of machine-made cloth, including velvet. Cowrie shells, symbols of wealth, are used in horizontal rows below the face and descend in parallel columns on the front of the costume. The wealth and status of the family, as well as the power of the ancestors are celebrated in this assemblage of materials.