Masquerades

Masquerades: Yoruba Gelede Masks, Benin. Yoruba Oro Efe masks emerge from the sacred forest, invoking blessings for the annual Gelede festival, which ensures the continued protection of the mother God, Iya Nla. To entertain the crowd at the festival, Awo puppet masks such as the "lovesick young man" and the "ape and hunter" operated by strings inside the dancer's costume, provide humorous visual warnings against social misconduct. Masquerades: Bwa and Bobo Bush Masks, Burkina Faso. During harvest and planting seasons, Bwa animal masks enter the village to purify the community and protect it from harm. Among the creatures represented are the ox, serpent, wart hog, antelope and owl. At Bobo funeral ceremonies, vibrant coloured masks drive the spirits of the dead out of the village and into the afterworld. Masquerades: Senufo Nufori Acrobats, Ivory Coast. A Boloye band accompanies acrobatic Nufori dancers as they tumble before mourners at a funeral. Representing panthers, Nufori are intended to frigthen as well as entertain. Members of the secret Poro Society, the highly skilled dancers have been trained since the age of five. Masquerades: Bedik Harvest Masks, Senegal. Brought out of the sacred forest to disseminate their wisdom, leafy Dokota masks dance with village women, who are the chief cultivators in Bedik society. Together they send a plea to the spirit world asking for a successful harvest. Bad-tempered and mischevious, the Kankouran mask chases uncircumcised boys around the village, beating anyone who gets in his way. Masquerades: Egungun Ancestor Masks, Nigeria & Benin. Yoruba Egungun masks embody the spirirts of the ancestors, who return to their respective communities for several days each year to advise villagers and punish wrongdoers. Wearing costumes fashioned from many yards of expensive fabrics, the awesome spirits whirl through the village, sweeping away evil forces and conferring blessings on spectators as they pass.