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The Yoruba people reside mainly in Nigeria but are spread across to Benin. Lush forest and Savannah areas surround them. Their origins can be researched back to the end of the first millennium. Yoruba communal functioning is structured around their religious concepts and their related ritualistic societies. Yoruba spiritual devotion is so complete and powerful, that all of their important artworks are dedicated to religious ceremony in one way or another. There are three main Yoruba societies or "egbe", one being the Gelede society. This sect is devoted to Yemoja, the mother of all orisha (angelic forces). She represents motherhood, mother of waters, family, sexuality, sorcery and nurturer. Yemoja is the matriarchal head of the universe. She is thought to express the protective energies of the feminine force. The Gelede society function is to keep the peace so to speak between humans and the witches (aje). During ceremony male dancers impersonate Yemoja by donning breast and costuming that is padded. The mask offered here is a beautiful older selection that has been used many times in ceremony. This is a good rare find!

****YEMOJA****

Yemoja, mother of the fishes, Mother of the waters on the earth. Nurture me, my mother Protect and guide me. Like the waves of the ocean, wash away the trials that I bear. Grant me children. Grant me peace. Let not the witches devour me. Let not evil people destroy me. Yemoja, mother of all, Nurture me my mother. This prayer to Yemoja is published in "The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concerpt," authored by Bab Ifa Karade.

Dimensions: 8 7/8 inches tall x 6 1/2 inches across x 3 inches deep

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