Egúngún Masquerade costume, Nigeria, late 20th century WA508366

Yoruba tradition, Nigeria, ongoing. Masquerade representing, honouring and invoking an ancestor. Concealed by his layered cloth costume, the performer energetically spins the ancestor into being through freeform dance. The performance takes place in the village square, on the streets

The display:
Performance gallery presents an Egúngún cloth costume within a showcase. The mounting has been carefully constructed to give the impression of some movement of the cloth. The vibrant colours, incredible detail of the appliqué and sequin work and large scale of the figure make this a very impressive and imposing exhibit.

Behind the costume is a large photograph recording Egúngún at Ikenne in 1973, showing the Egúngún surrounded by dancing praising women.

Find out more

- Consider the performance: as Spectator, as Performer, as Maker
- Egúngún in Brighton Museum's collection
- Find out more about Egúngún performance

Egúngún masquerade - SPECTATOR

	Egúngún at Ikenne, Nigeria © Marilyn Houlberg 1973 (gallery backdrop image)

Egúngún is moving on the streets. It is surrounded by young men, dancing, chasing, beating, shouting. Women honour it with praise poems. Its swirling breeze of blessing moves among us.

Egúngún means "masquerade" or "powers concealed." It is both festival and fear. It creates order between our world and the dead.

Each Egúngún represents a dead ancestor. It appears for funerals or in annual festivals. With time its powers and reputation may grow.

Egúngún masquerade - PERFORMER

	Detail, Egúngún at Ikenne, Nigeria © Marilyn Houlberg 1973

Beneath the whirling costume, a skilled dancer moves in athletic freeform to the drumbeat. Secrecy is everything.

To become Egúngún, the performer must lose his own identity. He uses his body to construct the power of a deceased ancestor. When the spirit is there the performer no longer exists.

The Egúngún shows the unseen ancestor spirit. The layers of cloth protect the spectators from the energy that lies within.

Egúngún masquerade - MAKER

	Detail of cloth used in the Egúngún costume

The best velvets and brocades that a family can afford are used to construct the Egúngún. In this way the family honours the ancestor and secures its blessing. Over time, new generations will add more layers of cloth and amulets.

A dead ancestor might request a new costume through a priest. The owner and patron, the herbalist, the tailor and the entire lineage will collaborate in creating the Egúngún.

The old costume becomes just cloth and wood.