Naked Gelede
Steel, paint. 1998
Collection of the artist
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In her series of Gelede sculptures, Sokari explores the spiritual and social roles of women in Yoruba culture. In the language of the Yoruba people of Nigeria, who live just to the west of
the Kalabari, gelede means gently soothing the private parts of women.
In this masquerade men assume female attributes and dance to appease and placate older women, the mothers, who otherwise might harm them through witchcraft. If they are pleased with
the performances, the mothers will
use their powers to benefit society.
"When Gelede is performed, the dancers have frames added to their hips to extend their bottoms, like an African woman's bottom. They sometimes add breasts, and there has been documentation of breasts with a child attached to them, all carefully carved and constructed. I find the addition
of all of these parts to a man's frame rather amusing, especially
as the carved face of a Gelede is so serene. The other detail is that the costume/clothes of the Gelede should be colorful and beautiful."
-- Sokari Douglas Camp
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© 1998 American Museum of Natural History.
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