West African Voodoo Dancing Masks

Gelede Mask Dance
Female Spirit
The Big Mother
Spirit Realm
Sacred Tree
Spirits of the Dead
Soul Catchers
Egunun Mask Ceremony
Pope Mask
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Gelede Mask Dance
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Masks at an Egungun ceremony in Benin, West Africa, are considered very dangerous. As they dance and swirl, the masks will run into the gathered crowd trying to catch the soul of the living person.

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—Photograph and caption by Chris Rainier, copyright National Geographic Society
 

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