Babatunde Lawal

I am Babatunde Lawal, a Yoruba from Nigeria who participated in the Gelede tradition before developing a research interest in the subject. I currently teach African Art in the Department of Art History, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia

The word Gelede refers to a mask or a spectacle that relaxes and pacifies the beholder. Although primarily dedicated to the maternal principle in nature personified as Iya Nla, the Great Mother; Gelede is also aimed at promoting peace and social harmony within a particular community.

The first part, the Efe ceremony, takes place at night. During the ceremony, usually held at the market square, a mask called Efe—which means the humorist or joker—performs throughout the night, then withdraws at dawn. The next day the market square is filled up once more, and other Gelede masks arrive. Daylight masks do not sing—whatever they want to say is usually sculpted on the headdresses.