Gelede
Quick Summary
The Gelede festival is a ritual celebration among the Ketu-Yoruba people of Nigeria and Benin. It features masked dancers, most notably the Efe mask, who appear at midnight to placate witches and honor the Earth Mother and women elders. The ritual dance incorporates social commentary, praising individuals of rank and satirizing community misbehavior, before transitioning into public recreation until sunrise.1
Gelede performances blend ritual and social recreation, with dance serving diverse purposes within African societies. The dancers' movements and masks are integral to expressing communal values and social relationships.12
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