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Animals are used in Yoruba Gelede masks as a way of
depicting various proverbs; these animals include snakes, porcupines, and wild
pigs, along with various species of birds. Snakes are seen most frequently because of their fluidity
and visual connections to items seen in the Yoruba culture, which include ropes
and hair ties. As shown in this
mask, snakes are often seen surrounding themselves around another animal as a
metaphor for gluttony, and a reference to what happens when one becomes too
greedy or selfish, although the wrapping motion is also a resemblance of the
fabric women place around their heads.
The Yoruba are from the west part of Nigeria and are known to be very urban people. As in many other areas of Africa, the Yoruba communicate with the spirit through masquerades. Many of their masquerades are performed in all Yoruba communities, where as others are limited to specific areas. The Gelede society masquerades occur only in the southwestern area. “Despite local variations, the fundamental purpose of Gelede spectacles is to pay tribute to and therefore to derive benefit from female mystical power.”[1] All older women are referred to as “Our Mothers,” and are seen to be as powerful as the gods. Along with honoring women, Gelede can be performed for the gods Eshu and Ogun, and also used to showcase the good and bad of a society.
The masks are wooden super-structures that appear to be female, many of which have elaborate quaffers. The masks often showcase what the women did to make a living. For example, a market basket would honor a woman that did well at the market. Some of these masks are abstracted, while others are more portrait style. Men dance these masks, although women also participate in parts of the masquerade. The men performing these masks always have their face covered, either by the actual mask or with the addition of fabric. The dancers wear lots of brightly colored embroidered fabric. Chest plates are also worn to emphasize the breasts. Along with dancing, the men sing chants that honor the female ancestors as well. Although these masks often include representations from every aspect of Yoruba society, they all revolve around what is most important for them, which is to honor and please the mothers, who in return will look after them.
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[1] Henry Drewel, and Margaret Drewel, Gelede: Art and Female Power among the Yoruba, (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1983), 8.
Image source: Yoruba, Helmet Mask (Gelede), 20th century, wood, 22-1/2 in. Metropolitan Museum of Art - Images for Academic Publishing, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Paul and Ruth W. Tishman, 1990 (1990.336) (Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
The Yoruba are from the west part of Nigeria and are known to be very urban people. As in many other areas of Africa, the Yoruba communicate with the spirit through masquerades. Many of their masquerades are performed in all Yoruba communities, where as others are limited to specific areas. The Gelede society masquerades occur only in the southwestern area. “Despite local variations, the fundamental purpose of Gelede spectacles is to pay tribute to and therefore to derive benefit from female mystical power.”[1] All older women are referred to as “Our Mothers,” and are seen to be as powerful as the gods. Along with honoring women, Gelede can be performed for the gods Eshu and Ogun, and also used to showcase the good and bad of a society.
The masks are wooden super-structures that appear to be female, many of which have elaborate quaffers. The masks often showcase what the women did to make a living. For example, a market basket would honor a woman that did well at the market. Some of these masks are abstracted, while others are more portrait style. Men dance these masks, although women also participate in parts of the masquerade. The men performing these masks always have their face covered, either by the actual mask or with the addition of fabric. The dancers wear lots of brightly colored embroidered fabric. Chest plates are also worn to emphasize the breasts. Along with dancing, the men sing chants that honor the female ancestors as well. Although these masks often include representations from every aspect of Yoruba society, they all revolve around what is most important for them, which is to honor and please the mothers, who in return will look after them.
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[1] Henry Drewel, and Margaret Drewel, Gelede: Art and Female Power among the Yoruba, (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1983), 8.
Image source: Yoruba, Helmet Mask (Gelede), 20th century, wood, 22-1/2 in. Metropolitan Museum of Art - Images for Academic Publishing, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Paul and Ruth W. Tishman, 1990 (1990.336) (Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art)