1. Egungun Masquerades/Costumes Yoruba Peoples of Nigeria

4. Egungun Masqurrades Egungun costume are made of appliquéd panels with motifs derives from Yoruba, Islamic, and European traditions. The wearer can see through the net face panel, which is adorned with cowrie shells, beads, and coins. When performing an acrobatic dance, he spins rapidly so the fabric panels fly out, revealing the colorful layers of the costume.

5. The valuable fabrics and symbols of wealth such as cowrie shells, sequins, and beads are outward signs of the respect due to the ancestor. Sometimes the inscription “AYELABOLA” on the back of the costume is visible and expresses profound regard for the moral and ethical stature of the ancestor by referring to the primordial deity, Olá, who embodies these values.

6. Yoruba Textile Egungun Masqueraders

11. Yoruba Egugun Masqueraders