The word “Eyo” (from where the festival derives its name) refers to the costumed dancers, or the masquerades that come out during the festival. The Eyo masquerades represent the spirits of the ancestors and so the Eyo festival may be held in honour of a chief, an elder of a ruling family or a dead Oba. It may also be held when a new head of an Iga (palace) or a new Oba is installed.
Each Eyo comes out of an Iga (palace) of a ruling family in the morning and heads for the shrine (Agodo). It is robed from head to toe in white flowing cloth. The white flowing costume consists of an ‘agbada’ (the top robe), and the ‘aropale’ (the bottom wrap around). No part of the person carrying the Eyo is expected to be seen. The Eyo also wears an ‘Akete’ a hat that bears the colours and shield of the Iga from which he comes. An Eyo may tie ribbons, in the colours of the house that he represents, to the Opambata (palm branch) that he carries . An Iga’s Eyo may have up to 50 to 100 or more members.
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Thank you very much for introducing this interesting festival to us! Who can take part in it? What type of dance do they practice?
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