Nigeria

Yoruba

Wood, kaolin paste, cloth
Early-Mid 20th century
Length: 14.25 in, Width: 8 in, Depth: 12 in
Other – Regalia – Headdress

Gelede is a masquerade to honor and appease Iyami Aje through dance, masks, regalia and poetry. The Iyami Aje are a group of female ancestors and deities of incarnate forces, as well as elderly women of the community who control fertility, life, and the death of children. These women are sometimes less diplomatically referred to as witches. The Gelede headdresses are worn by male Yoruba dancers at the festival.  Many of the elaborate headdresses with their traditional polychrome decoration, have superstructures with figures of Yoruba deities, devotees, animals, and even exaggerated structures, as seen here, with two drummers. Gelede masquerade festivals usually takes place between March and May and the masks are danced in pairs during ceremonies to honor elderly women, promote social harmony and well-being in the community.