Messengers of the Ancestors

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Benin View gallery (25 photos)

Messengers of the Ancestors sent on 07 Febbraio 2026 (12:04) by Roberto Pazzi. 0 comments, 143 views.

at 37mm, 1/160 f/5.0, ISO 125, hand held.

Egungun masks (Benin). HUMANKIND, my premium, limited-edition, museum-quality standard book featuring over 200 large-format photos. Available on my website: https://robertopazziphoto.com Egungun culture in Benin is one of the most powerful ways communities honor their ancestors and keep lineage identity alive. It is not simply a dance tradition or a costume practice, but a sacred institution that protects social harmony and reinforces moral responsibility. When Egungun appears, the community is not just watching a performance, it is receiving a visit from the ancestral world. The Egungun masks represent the spirits of ancestors who return to guide and protect the living. The costumes are designed to completely hide the dancer’s identity, because Egungun must be recognized as an ancestral presence, not as an individual person. The layers of fabric, the volume, and the continuous movement transform the figure into something beyond human, and the swirling colors symbolize the ancestors moving among the living. Egungun ceremonies also strengthen community structure. Different families may have their own Egungun, and each appearance reflects history, responsibility, and respect for those who came before. Music and drumming are essential, guiding the dance and creating a shared rhythm that unites everyone present. Egungun is believed to bring protection and blessings, while also reminding people to live with discipline and integrity. Egungun shares connections with Vodou through a worldview centered on ancestors and the invisible world. In both traditions, spirits are not distant, but active forces that can guide, protect, and influence community life through ritual, movement, and collective devotion. Website: https://robertopazziphoto.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/roberto_pazzi_photo

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