Gelede mask with puppet c. 2000

This Gelede mask with puppet was created by the Yoruba people, and is now held in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The Yoruba, located in Nigeria and Benin, have a rich masking tradition closely tied to social order, morality, and spiritual beliefs. The Gelede tradition is particularly fascinating, as it honors women, especially mothers and female elders, recognizing their power in society. This mask, surmounted by a puppet, is part of elaborate public performances aimed at appeasing female power. It seeks to ensure community well-being and fertility. The imagery is a window into Yoruba cosmology, where gender roles and respect for elders are paramount. These performances are not just displays; they are negotiations of power and identity, reflecting both the agency and the prescribed roles of women in Yoruba society. It speaks to the complexities of gender, where praise and appeasement coexist within cultural expression.