Yoruba Gelede Mask, Nigeria
Carved Gelede mask with scarification. bird figures surround top. Head had ear flaps. Birds are painted yellow, white , and red.
- Object: Yoruba Gelede Mask, Nigeria
- Artist: -
- Circa: -
- Dimensions: 16"H x 10"W x 10"D
- Culture Area: Africa; Nigeria
- Cultural Group: Yoruba
- Cultural Context: Yoruba Mask, Nigeria The Yoruba of Western Nigeria and of the eastern parts of Dahomey are the largest of all the sculpture producing tribe of Africa. Besides a great variety of local cults, Yoruba religion and art are characterized by a number of universal cults of major deities, who clearly began as nature gods. One of the greatest of these is the cult of Shango, the thunder god. - Book Afrique by William Fagg, p.47 Research by student employee, Debora Vitaliano 09/08/2022 Scanned from an in-house sign, author unknown: Gelede masks are worn by men in elaborate masquerade performances to pay tribute to the special power of women, both elders and ancestors, who are known affectionately as "our mothers." This ritual takes place each year between March and May, at the beginning of a new agricultural season. Women can use a spiritual life force, ase, which can be creative or destructive. When these powers are used destructively, women are called aje (witch), and, if angered, are believed to have the capacity to destroy individuals or entire communities. The masquerade provides an opportunity for "our mothers" to be placated or pampered so that they do not use their destructive powers against the Yoruba people; instead the encourage rain and fertile soil. The Gelede headdress often consists of two parts, a lower mask and an upper superstructure. The lower mask depicts a woman's face, its composure expressing the qualities of calmness, patience, and "coolness" desired in women. The design of the superstructure is intended to placate the mothers by displaying their inner powers for all to see, thus pleasing them and ensuring the well-being of the community. Bird motifs The frequency of the bird motif on Gelede headdresses is not surprising, given the popular belief that the "powerful mothers" change into birds at night to wreak havoc on sleeping and unsuspecting victims. Many of the motifs are aimed at localizing and controlling this power. The meaning of a particular motif, however, depends on the name of the bird, its behavior, and associations in Yoruba rituals and stories.
- Donor: Barbara & Hiro Narita
- Catalog #: 114.231