History & Cultural Context
Egungun is a masquerade tradition of the Yoruba people, in which masked performers in layered, multicolored cloth costumes embody returning ancestral spirits. The masquerade originated in the Yoruba kingdom of Oyo, in present-day southwestern Nigeria, and is generally dated by scholars and museum collections to perhaps as early as the 17th century; it later spread across Yorubaland and into neighboring Benin and Togo.
Performances take place during festivals known as Odun Egungun, held annually or biennially within the lineage compound and in public spaces such as marketplaces and before the palace. A costume is built up over successive festivals as patrons add new panels of cloth, so that a single garment functions as a layered record of a lineage's history.
Egungun — In Depth
Origin & history: Egungun (meaning "powers concealed") is a masquerade tradition of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria that honors the collective ancestors. The practice predates written records and has spread to the Republic of Benin, Sierra Leone, and across the diaspora to the Caribbean and the Americas.
Cultural & social context: During the annual Egungun festival, masqueraders are believed to be ancestors returned to the living world. They bless the community, uphold moral and judicial order, and bond society; the oriki (praise poetry) of the ancestor is recited to please the spirit and relive its deeds. The masquerade is also a statement of status for the patron who funds the costume.
Character & feel: Reverent and mysterious. The costume fully conceals the wearer, transforming him into a "returned Yoruba ancestor" who links the living and spiritual worlds.
Costume: Elaborate layered panels of expensive cloth - added over time as patrons contribute fabric - together with gloves, foot covers, and a mesh face screen decorated with cowrie shells, beads, and coins. No part of the body may show; the dancer sees out through the mesh.
Technique / movement: The masquerader spins rapidly so the layered fabric panels fly open and swirl, revealing the costume's colorful layers, accompanied by gestures and playful actions.
Music & rhythm: Yoruba drumming, notably bata and gangan (dundun/"talking") drums, provides the rhythmic pulse of the performance.
Egungun Music & Tempo
Drawn from 22 Egungun tracks in the LODance music library.
Example tracks at practice tempo
- Elewe Dance Music of Oro: Ese and Aluwasi — Elewe Egungun singers and drummers
- Elewe Dance Music of Oro: Asida, Siko — Elewe Egungun drummers
- Elewe Dance Music of Oro: Continuation (2) — Elewe Egungun drummers
- Bata Drums: For Egungun — Yoruba batá drummers
- Elewe Music: Aluwasi — Elewe Egungun singers and drummers
- Elewe Dance Music of Oro: Siko (2) — Elewe Egungun drummers
What to Wear
Attire guidance for Egungun and other Global African dances. Each card below is sized to the moment — class, practice, social, or competition — because the wardrobe shifts as the stakes do.
Reading the cards
In Class
Loose, breathable clothing that allows full-body movement. Bare feet common in many African dance traditions. Brightly colored fabrics and wraps are welcome.
Social Dancing
Culturally expressive: traditional fabrics (ankara, kente), wraps, and dance-specific attire vary by tradition and community event.
Competition
Performance ensembles in traditional attire specific to the dance's cultural origin. Authenticity and cultural respect are paramount.
Shoes
Many traditions are danced barefoot. When shoes are worn: flexible flat shoes or dance sandals. Some urban styles (Afrobeats) use sneakers.
In Practice
Barefoot in most traditional forms; check with the instructor before assuming. Urban African forms (Afrobeats, kuduro) often use sneakers.
Price Range
- Budget: No shoes needed for most traditional forms; loose breathable clothing from existing wardrobe.
- Mid: Wraps and traditional fabric pieces $30–150 depending on craftsmanship.
- Premium: Authentic ceremonial costumes commissioned through community networks — pricing varies significantly by tradition.
Quick Tips
- •Suede-soled shoes allow controlled sliding and pivoting — essential for most partner dances.
- •Avoid rubber soles on dance floors; they grip too much and can cause knee injuries.
- •Bring a separate pair of clean shoes for the dance floor to keep it in good condition.
Sources & Further Reading
Cultural & Historical Context
Egungun emerged from Nigeria (Yoruba) during the -1000s—present day. Understanding the cultural roots, musical traditions, and social circumstances of this era enriches appreciation for the dance's characteristics and significance.
Primary Source Documents
The Library of Dance contains public-domain primary sources for dance history. Copyrighted modern syllabi are indexed with purchase links to their respective copyright owners. Search by dance name or codifier to discover primary source documents.
Last reviewed: August 2026 — This dance profile synthesizes historical research, cultural documentation, and contemporary practice knowledge to provide authoritative context.
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Egungun in art
Browse the gallery →Public-domain works our catalogue identifies as depicting egungun.
Egúngún Masquerade Dance Costume
Unknown artist
Egúngún Masquerade Dance Costume
Unknown artist
Esu Dance Staff Ogo Elegbara
Unknown artist
Esu Dance Staff (Ogo Elegbara)
Attributed to an unidentified Ketu master (active mid-19th century) Yoruba Nigeria Coastal West Africa
Headdress (Ago Egungun)
Ojerinde (died about 1914) Yoruba Abeokuta, Nigeria Coastal West Africa
Headdress (Igi Gelede)
Fagbite Asamu (active late 19th/mid-20th century) or Falola Edun (active early/mid-20th century) Yoruba Nigeria Coastal West Africa
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