YOUR TURN: the Gelede Headdress

YOUR TURN: The Gelede Headdress


Join the Festivities!
Pretend that you attended a Gelede celebration. Write a journal entry of your first-hand account. What did you hear, see, smell, feel? You might want to write your journal from the viewpoint of the dancer as well. What could you see through the mask? Was it very heavy to wear? Very hot? How did the crowds respond to your dancing?


Create Your Own Festival!

The Yoruba celebrate the Gelede festival each year in order to honor women and to ensure well-being in their community. If you could create a festival that would do the same in your community, what would it be? Here are some ideas to consider:




Introduction
To Inspire Respect For Royalty
To Celebrate A Good Harvest
To Teach Young Women
To Seek Protection and Honor Ancestors