Case file · Folklore / legend
Gelede honours 'our mothers'
In 2001 UNESCO proclaimed the Gelede masquerade of the Yoruba-Nago of Benin, Nigeria and Togo a masterpiece of intangible heritage. Its masked dances honour the 'mothers' (iya wa), whose spiritual power can protect or destroy.
2001 CE · 7.36, 2.60 · status: official
The account
The 'mothers' include elderly women, female ancestors and the deities, and their power can include witchcraft; Gelede pleases them to ensure fertility and peace. The plotted point is Kétou, Benin.