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'Gelede' is an annual festival honoring “our mothers” (''awon iya wa''), not so much for their motherhood, but as female elders. It takes place in the dry season (March-May) among the Yoruba people of southwest Nigeria and neighboring southeast Benin.
The mask (or headdress, since it does not cover the face) is one of a pair worn together by men masquerading as women to amuse, please and placate the mothers who are considered very powerful, and may use their powers for good or destructive witchcraft purposes.
The Gelede ceremony involves carefully choreographed dance, singing and music, especially drumming. Dozens of masquerading pairs may take part. The daytime festival is held in the marketplace, and is preceded the night before by an Efe ceremony at which male masks are used by ‘jesters’ who make satirical performances including social comment.
Gelede probably originated in the late 18th or early 19th century. It may be associated with the change from a matriarchal to a patriarchal society, but then one might expect it to have older beginnings.
The Gelede ceremony may also take place at the funerals of cult members or in times of drought or other serious situations which are thought to have been brought about by malevolent witchcraft.