Africa Arts
Traditional music in Benin
Traditional music in Benin
AGéLé in Yoruba language and KPOGJIGUèGUè in Fongbé is a traditional dance you can see in the center and the South of Benin. It is danced on bamboo high about three or four meters sometimes more. The dancers used to hide their face and make themselves not recognize by spectators. They wear a kind of clothes made with raffia under and normal traditional clothes up. It is very nice dance for celebration and important events. It is a kind of secret society because it is only the people inside can know the dancers another people are not allowed to know. This dance has some little secret and when they are dancing on the bamboo they cannot fall. And there is a little traditional ceremony to do before dancing.
Secret society in Benin
SECRET SOCIETY IN BENIN
GUELEDE
Guèlèdè is a secret society of Yoruba community. They are mostly present in Nigeria and constitute the most important urban civilization. They are also present in Benin and Togo where they are minority. In Africa the Yoruba traders are present everywhere in West and central since the 20th century. Guèlèdè mask characterize the unity and diversity of common origin. The mother city is Ilé Ifè of Nigeria. The Yoruba people believe that the first person appear on the Earth in there. Guèlèdè is important is Benin and in 2001 UNESCO recognize it as immaterial heritage.
In Benin the rite of Guèlèdè is done in Ketou, Pobè, Savè. The practice of this culture is different in each community and conduct by a woman. Guèlèdè is a rite of culture and fecundity. It is why it is conducted by old women called “Awon iya wa” our mothers in Yoruba language. They are thought to have a lot of spiritual power and can obtain protection against diseases and sicknesses, death, wealthy and fecondity. The term Guèlèdè is unlimited and the masks have double aspects social and religious. Guèlèdè used to be played in two periods one for day and another one for night.
Mask in Benin transform the person who is wearing it and make him concretize the supernatural in human world. There are many different Guèlèdè masks you can discover them and their meaning in Guèlèdè museum in Ketou and the Ethnography museum of PortoNovo, Zinsou foundation….
GUELEDE the Oldest mask
One of the new masks
ZANGBETO
It is one of secret society of Benin. It was the police agent of the kings. Its role is the security of the city of PortoNovo in night.
Zangbeto is the only mask originally from Benin. They are especially present in the South and the center of the country. The thieves in night are always arrested and give to police in the day. Zangbeto is always played to enjoy people. But they like to play it on Saturday.
Zangbeto is a big mask cover by colorful straw. Zangbeto represent non-human spirit, the nature strength and night which occupy the earth before human. The people who wear the mask belong to a small secret society and nobody else knows their identity.
EGUNGUN
Egungun is all the bones in human body which form the skeleton. This divinity is the reincarnation of an old dead parent or relatives. It is invoked by the people in live it help to resolve some problems. In conclusion Egungun is the resurrection phenomenon in Yoruba culture.
Culture in Benin
Culture in Benin
Egoun from Cotonou
Egoun from Yoruba people
Gelede from Ketou
Kpodji
Mami from Agoué
Some culture from Benin. In another blog we will like to tell you more about each.
Photos from: Faczy’Art
Arts in Benin by Faczy’Art
Stone Faczy is an painting artist, clothes designer and interior designer based in Grand Popo, Benin. He mostly paints with acrylic on canvas, but also paints on glass and mirror. A typical style of African arts.
L'iroko Benin 