Gẹ̀lẹ̀dẹ́ is performed by Yorùbá communities in south-western Nigeria and neighbouring lands — among the Ọ̀yọ́, Ẹ̀gbá and Kẹ́tù people — after the harvest and during the dry season. In this masquerade, men dress in layers of voluminous women’s clothing and finely carved headdresses, honouring “our mothers” (àwọn ìyá wa): the elderly women whose spiritual powers are believed to hold the community together.

The performance itself is a feast of art. Bàtá drums set the rhythm, dancers glide with surprising grace under the weight of their costumes, and songs move easily between praise and gentle satire — teasing those whose behaviour has wounded the community back into good conduct.

In 2001, UNESCO proclaimed Gẹ̀lẹ̀dẹ́ a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. At AFECO we document performances, record the songs and their meanings, and support young drummers and singers who are learning to carry the tradition forward.