What is Egungun in Yoruba?
Egungun, meaning “powers concealed” or “dry bones (of ancestors),” is a Yoruba (South Western Nigeria) masquerade that provides an important connection between the worlds of the living and the dead.
What was the purpose of the Egungun?
The most widespread masquerade is the egungun of the Yoruba. Like all masquerades, the egungun is a multimedia performance designed to honor the dead, and a wide variety of masks and costumes are used to communicate with ancestral spirits. Ceremonies do not have a standardized format.
Whats the meaning of Egungun?
Egungun is a visible manifestation of the spirits of departed ancestors who periodically revisit the human community for remembrance, celebration, and blessings.
What are Egungun masks traditionally used for in Nigeria?
The egungun are masked dancers who perform at festivals and other important ritual occasions. They wear nets over their faces to prevent identification, wear long and colorful robes, and are regarded as the representatives of the ancestors.
What is the Yoruba word for ancestors?
ORIKI EGUN are invocations for the collective Spirit of the Ancestors. In the Yoruba language the word for a single ancestor is Ara Orun, meaning person in the realm of the ancestors. EGUN refers to the collective spirit of all the Ancestors in a person’s lineage.
When was Egungun created?
17th century
The Egungun masquerade originated within the Yoruba kingdom of Oyo, perhaps as early as the 17th century, and spread to other corners of the Yoruba region over time.
Why are people scared Egungun?
Egungun is a Yoruba masquerade known for its elaborate nature and how people fear the masquerade. Egungun festivals are celebrated in honour of the dead. Annual rites honouring the deceased are held in the Yoruba faith to ensure that their ancestors have a place among the living.
Is Egungun a religion?
Egungun is a part of the Yoruba pantheon of divinities. The Yoruba religious system is sometimes referred to as the ‘Yoruba Religion’ or simply ‘Orisa Veneration’. In the tradition of ancestor veneration, Egungun represents the “collective”.
What do Nigerian masks represent?
NIGERIAN MASKS
Masks usually have a spiritual and religious meaning and they are used in ritual dances and social and cultural events. A special status is attributed to artists that create masks and those that wear them in ceremonies.
What are the functions of the Egungun masquerade?
The function of the Egungun Masquerade culture
Ancestral protection: this involves seeking protection and support from the ancestors to ensure that peace and security overshadow the land. After a successful festival, the people are optimistic about goodness and rejoice while expecting a fruitful year ahead of them.
Is Egungun an Orisha?
Egungun festival is part of the Yoruba religious system, sometimes referred to as Orisa. It is celebrated as festivals and rituals through the masquerade.
What are the 3 types of African masks?
Masks can be grouped into three main forms: face masks, helmet masks, and headresses. The face mask is the most common form and usually curves over the masker’s face, stopping right before the ears.
What are the 6 types of African masks?
African Masks Menu
- Baule Mask.
- Biombo Mask.
- Bwa Plank Mask.
- Dan Mask.
- Goma Mask.
- Kota Mask.
- Kwele Mask.
- Ligbi Mask.
What do colors mean on African mask?
Red- Life & blood; Gold- Fortune; Blue- Innocence; Green- The earth and Africa as the mother country; Black- The Unity of the people of Africa -show their understandings of one selected African mask – Brainstorm ideas for creating their own personal masks.
What does an African mask symbolize?
Animal forms
Masks are often made to resemble people, animals and other objects that people identify with. Many African masks represent animals. Some African communities believe that the animal masks can help them communicate with the spirits who live in forests or open savannah.
Do African masks have spirits?
African Masks Represent Animal Spirits
When a wearer puts on an animal mask for a ritualized performance, sometimes accompanied by a full costume, tribespeople believe they then embody the spirit of the animal they represent.