A very different kind of mask, which is made out of layers of colorful strips of cloth rather than a wooden mask and costume, belongs to the Yoruba of Nigeria.

It is called egungun. The egungun dancer whirls the costume in circles so that the bits of cloth decorated with ribbons, mirrors, and metal fly through the air.

Sometimes the costume touches members of the audience like arms. In fact the egungun strips can be seen as abstract arms that represent the spirit of important members of the community who are now ancestors.