History and Power
According to Gẹlẹdẹ in the Yoruba tradition, it is believed that older women have powers that are equal to or greater than those of the gods. The women are referred to as the “mothers,” and are elders, ancestors, and deities that have special spiritual powers that can be both beneficial, by providing fertility and health, and harmful, by causing disaster, which is why the Gẹlẹdẹ performances occur. The great grandmothers are also called orisa ẹgbẹ, which means “gods of society.” The term ẹgbẹ also refers to the society of women who can supposedly turn into birds and hold secret meetings or observe secret happenings, whether it be secret male initiation rituals or people in the community. (3)
This concept of “mothers” is fundamentally important in Yoruba society, because without “our mothers,” the Yoruba community would not exist in the world. Also, because of their ability to give birth, it is believed that women know the secret of life, therefore possessing the power to bring life into the world, and consequently take it out. This is the female form of ase, which is “the power to bring things into actual existence,” and is one of the fundamental concepts in Yoruba thought. Ase is a force that is neither good nor bad, but an energy that is present in all things that appeals to and uses a god's power. The more ase an individual has, the more powerful that individual is. (3)
This incredible power demands a great amount of respect, and Yoruba diviners and herbalists usually seek out the blessings of the “mothers” because without that support, the diviners will not be successful in their endeavors, for the power of the “mothers” is even stronger than those of the gods, except for Ifá. The “mothers” have the ability to control the powers of the gods and prevent them from doing any good for the society. The Gẹlẹdẹ masquerades are a manifestation of respect and honor for the power of women, essentially paying tribute to the power of women so that the mystical powers work to benefit the people instead of harm them. The Gelede spectacles are still in existence today and are a vital part of the preservation of the Yoruba culture. (3)
