Egungun June 20

In the Yoruba religion, annual ceremonies in honor of the dead serve to ensure their ancestors a place among the living. They believe that ancestors have a responsibility to hold the living to the ethical standards of past generations of their clan, town, or family. The Egungun are celebrated in festivals, known as Odun Egungun, and in family rituals through the custom of the mask.

In family situations, a family elder known officially or informally as " Alagba » presides over ancestral rites. He may or may not be initiated into the local ancestral society. In matters that concern entire communities, priests and initiates trained in ancestral communication, ancestral elevation, and funeral rites are responsible for invoking and bringing out the ancestors.

They wear elaborate mask costumes. Through drumming and dancing, the robed performers are believed to become possessed by the spirits of the ancestors, manifesting as a single entity. The ritual spiritually cleanses the community; through the dramatic acting and mimicry of the robed priests, they demonstrate both ethical and amoral behavior that has occurred since their last visit.

In this way, they expose the strengths and weaknesses of the community to encourage more dignified behavior from their descendants. When this performance is over, the robed performers give messages, warnings and blessings to the assembled spectators.

The most important Egungun are Oloolu and Alapansanpa, both of Ibadanland. Elewe of the Yoruba clan of Ìgbómìnà, which is common to the towns of Òkè-Ìlá Òràngún, Ìlá Òràngún, and Arandun, is also of particular importance.