Gelede

Gelede is a dance ritual and annual festival of the Yoruba. It will be held in honor of the personified as Iya Nla femininity, especially of motherhood, female ancestors and the old women. The origins of the festival probably in the 16th century.

To Gelede to face men with carved head attachments and costumes as husband and wife is fully and lead to singing and drum accompaniment a dance that portrays the respective gender role. Simultaneously with the ceremony is to take place a appease the evil side of the female powers.

Gelede was appointed a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2001 by UNESCO and included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.