Look at these badass wizards!
Untitled (Vodou Series)
by Leonce Raphael Agbodjélou 2011Egungun are both named and unnamed ancestral forbears of Yoruba-speaking lineages, found in the Republic of Benin and in the Yoruba kingdoms of south-western Nigeria. Beginning with Ife in the 11th to 14th centuries a.d., the masqueraders appear at funerals to mark and guide the passage of the deceased to the spirit world. The Egungun perform at annual festivals held in Yoruba speaking communities at the beginning of the rainy season to cleanse the town, but also at any time to avert major misfortune or affliction that threatens the local community. They occupy a range of roles that vary from recent deceased and historical forbears, to acting as community executioners of criminals and witches. Less important and junior performers, such as onidan (miracle workers) olokiti (acrobats) and alabala (wearers of cloth) can also entertain the onlookers with magical feats and the sumptuousness of visual display.
(via louddetective)
