The Origin of Egungun: A Critical Literary Appraisal

Abstract

With evidence presented by Samuel Johnson, S. F. Nadel and Oludare Olajubu on the origin of Egungun, the African cultic masquerade in Nigeria, it can be concluded that Egungun originated from the Nupe culture, contrary to the popular belief that it took root from Yoruba religion. Nupe people actually seem to have used Egungun bamboozle and harass other ethnic groups around them. The author advocates, that in place of the present over-romanticization of the Egungun tradition, the cult needs scrutiny from oppressive and exploitative perspectives. African artists should explore African history and culture only from progressive and functional paradigms.