Egúngún

/eh-goon-goon/

Definition

The collective spirits of the ancestors, often manifested through elaborately clothed masquerades to guide, bless, and protect living descendants.

Ancestral Veneration

The veneration of ancestors is a cornerstone of Yorùbá spirituality. Egúngún ensures the continuity between the living and the dead. The ancestors act as moral guardians for their lineage and mediators to the divine realm.

The Masquerade

During festivals, specific initiated members act as vessels for the Egúngún. Elaborate multi-layered cloth masks completely conceal the dancer's body, representing the temporary return of the ancestors to earth to impart warnings, blessings, and communal justice.

Topics

ancestorsspiritstradition

Related Terms

Òrìṣà

Deities & Spirits

Divine emissaries and forces of nature that intermediate between Olódùmarè and humanity, governing specific domains of the cosmos and human experience.

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Yorùbá Version Available

Egúngún

Àpéra ọkàn àwọn babańlá, bábálúgbé tí a sábà ń gbé ní igbá alásọlá mímọ́ láti wa sùúrù gbé ìrànlọ́wọ́ wa.

Ẹ ka ní Yorùbá →

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