Observed on

Sometime during the dry seasons of December through Marfch

 

Observed by

People of Nigeria, Yoruba Practioners

Country of Origin 

Nigeria

Celebrations/Customs

Costume and Mask Wearing, Singing, Dancing, Various Rituals to Honor the Past 

Similar/Related to:

Halloween, Dia de los Muertos, Samhain

Key Points / Halloween Connection

- Nigerian festival honoring and appeasing departed ancestors which includes the wearing of elaborate dresses and masks symbolizing ancestors and bloodlines

Brief Bio

The Egungun Festival is a Yoruba celebration of ancestor worship, where masqueraders in elaborate costumes represent the spirits of the dead, bringing blessings and communication between the living and ancestors. Held in Nigeria and other Yoruba communities, the vibrant, celebratory festival features dancing, singing, and rituals that honor the past, strengthen community bonds, and ensure the well-being of the living through the presence of ancestral spirits.