Accession Number
2016/1.251

Title
Gelede Mask

Artist(s)
Yoruba

Artist Nationality
Yoruba (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
wood and pigment

Dimensions
14 in x 10 in x 7 in (35.56 cm x 25.4 cm x 17.78 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Michael and Phyllis Courlander

Subject matter
This mask or headdress, called igi Gelede in the Yoruba language, would have been a part of Gelede, a festival in western Yoruba communities that celebrated the power of women. The performances of Gelede masquerades not only entertained, but also honored the spiritual power of women in the community, known as awon iwa ya or "our mothers". Gelede masks feature many different images or scenes, as all of society falls under the influence of women; "our mothers" were also "the owners of the world". Yet this mask or headdress is simple; the head or ori is the focal point, as the inner head (ori inu) houses a person's ase or life force. The bird atop this mask may refer to the power of women in the community, as birds are a symbol of awon iwa ya.

References Cited:
Drewal, Henry John, John Pemberton and Rowland O. Abiodun. 1989. Yoruba: Nine Centuries of African Art and Thought. New York: Center for African Art.

Physical Description
A mask with an oval shaped head and protruding features. The mouth features articulated teeth. A blue bird sits atop the head of the mask. 

Primary Object Classification
Costume and Costume Accessories

Primary Object Type
mask

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
celebrating
ceremonial costume
communication (function)
entertaining
masquerades
power
women (female humans)