07/15/2026
Facts
Historically, some translations of Yoruba religious and cultural concepts into English were influenced by limited understanding of their original meanings and contexts. As a result, certain terms associated with the Yoruba traditional religion have been inaccurately interpreted.
One notable example is Egungun, a revered institution within Yoruba spirituality, which has often been translated as "masquerade." However, this translation does not fully capture the spiritual, cultural, and ancestral significance of Egungun in Yoruba tradition. Therefore, Egungun should not be simplistically equated with or reduced to the English term "masquerade."
The Isese Youth Progressive Oyo Alaafin, alongside adherents of the Isese religion, respectfully calls on the general public, media organizations, bloggers, scholars, and lovers of African Traditional Religion to promote the accurate representation of Yoruba indigenous concepts and discontinue the use of "masquerade" as a direct meaning of Egungun.
