Textile and Fashion Arts

Egungun masquerade body cover
Egungun masquerade body cover
Culture or people Yoruba people
Creation date 1901-1990
Materials cotton, beads
Dimensions L: 64 in.
Credit line Peggy S. Gilfoy Memorial Fund
Accession number 1990.2
Gallery Label

Egungun, meaning "powers concealed," is a masquerade associated with the honoring of ancestors. It is an important link between the worlds of the living and the dead. The maskers appear at annual festivals and at funerals. Two of their responsibilities are to console loved ones and to mediate between the two worlds. There is also an element of entertainment and social commentary.

The masker is completely covered by layers of cloth panels. The inner part is constructed of local handmade cloth.  The outer panels, which are added every year, are usually made of expensive, imported textiles.


Descriptive tags added by visitors:

bright, cloth swatches, dreams, dress, dress tent, frenectic, golds, reds and yellows, hidden, masquarade, mesh to see through, mirrors, moving, multicolored, quilted, ritual, robe, spin, wardrobe, whimsical, Yoruba people
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