Egungun Masquerade Costume

Imagine this elaborate costume dancing around in fast, swirling motions, its cloth layers pulsing in a bright whirl of color. The outer panels feature symbols of the most important Dahomey kings from the 17th through 19th centuries. These include representations of Houegbadja (reigned 1645–85) by the fish and net; Agaja (reigned 1708–32) by the ship; Guezo (reigned 1818–58) by the buffalo; Glèlè (reigned 1858–89) by the lion and knife; and Béhanzin (reigned 1889–94) by the shark and egg. The central panel features a cowrie-shell veil that concealed the dancer’s face. A variation of the name or names of the families who owned this costume is embroidered below.

For Yoruba communities, egungun masquerades represent the presence of ancestors among their living descendants. The appearance of a multicolored dog—appliquéd on the central panel and carved at the top of the ensemble—suggests the canine was a family emblem. The dog is a Yoruba signifier for powers to access both the living and spiritual realms.