Agemo Mask of the Ijebu Yoruba: What It Was For and Why It Matters

Ijebu Yoruba | Nigeria | Priestly / Festival

What was it for?

Agemo is regarded as a son of Obatala and a protector of children. He is celebrated mainly by the Ijebu Yoruba of Ogun State in a seven day festival held between June and August, a season that historically coincided with the maize harvest. The masqueraders make a pilgrimage to Imosan and perform before the Awujale, the king of Ijebu, at Ijebu Ode.

What does it look like?

The Agemo does not show a carved face. It appears as a raffia mat that seems to move by itself, with feathers and ram's horns on the head. The person inside is completely hidden, so what the crowd sees is a moving form rather than a human figure in costume.

Why does it matter?

The Agemo festival is an important annual event in Ijebuland. Its timing tied the sacred calendar to the maize harvest, and the procession to Imosan and the final dance before the Awujale bring priests, masqueraders and the royal house together in one public act that renews the bond between the kingdom and its protector.

One thing most people never know

Women must not see the Agemo while it is on its procession to Imosan. They may attend the final dance there, but the journey itself is closed to their eyes. The rule shows how a masquerade can be public and hidden at the same time, depending on who is watching and when.

Further reading: the source record for this entry.

This entry is part of the SEVICS Africa archive of 100 African masks. If you own a mask like this and want to know more about it, try our Mask Identifier.