Egungun (Egungun, Ará Ọ̀run)
Egungun or Egúngún, also known as Ará Ọ̀run is a Yoruba masquerade for ancestor reverence. In the broadest sense, Egungun is any Yoruba masquerade or masked costumed figure.
Egungun represents a tangible appearance of the spirits of deceased ancestors who occasionally return to the human community for remembrance, celebration, and to offer blessings.
According to data from Wikipedia, Egungun is classified as Egun or Egungun types, and in the Yoruba religion, the annual ceremonies in honor of the dead serve as a means of assuring their ancestors a place among the living. They believe the ancestors have the responsibility to compel the living to uphold the ethical standards of the past generations of their clan, town, or family.
Egungun Festival History
The Egungun Festival is an annual celebration among the Yoruba people, passed down through generations. It is thought to promote trade and commerce while fostering unity among the people of Yorubaland, regardless of their religious differences.
Role of Male and Female in Egungun Festival
Egungun masquerades are predominantly male-driven in performance, with only men permitted to engage with the spirits by embodying the masked figure. Women play a significant role in creating the costumes, dramatizing the performance, singing, dancing, and observing.