Egungun Society Dancer
Part of Hall of African Peoples.
Part of Hall of African Peoples.
African masquerade performers enact legends and stories that recount history and express social values through music, dance, and drama. Masqueraders can also represent spirits who possess the dancers, giving them special knowledge.
The Yoruba people in Nigeria have many masquerade performances. One, called Egungun, was used as comic relief during solemn ceremonies.