Gelede masks. The power of mothers

Gelede masks. The power of mothers

The Château Vodou Museum is pleased to present a colourful, vibrant exhibition of masks from the Arbogast collection.

Celebrated in the Gelede tradition, those who are called “Our Mothers” are feared and respected, because they have a sacred power. They are believed to turn into birds and gather at night. These are elderly women, or mothers who can no longer conceive, and who hold the secret of life.

Held on the public square, Gelede mask ceremonies provide a way to protect oneself from their ire, and to curry favour with them. The aim of this ritual is to regulate the life of the society and to solve problems, such as epidemics, droughts, famines, etc.

Worn by male dancers, these impressive masks, paired with fabric costumes, comprise a headdress carved in wood, showing colourful narrative scenes, sometimes featuring animal or human figures.  Although men wear and animate the costumes and masks, women are the ones who control the ceremonies.

A Yoruba proverb says that “The eyes that have seen Gelede have seen the ultimate spectacle”.

Since 2008, Gelede has been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.