This Egungun is fire-resistant and cannot be burnt by fire no matter how huge the blaze is. He also has the power to make people unconscious and revives them back. An ancient and powerful masquerade, he is considered an “elder” amongst his peers. He wears the garment of fire and does his display of dance in a huge blaze of fire.
His name ‘Danafojura’ literally means “Set me ablaze on fire” and that’s what he tells his handlers during its outing.
This very ancient Egungun Danafojura sets itself ablaze in epic inferno but does not get hurt.One of the few Egungun who also comes out during the “Ose Sango Festival” in Oyo Kingdom.
Scholars refer to the Egúngún masquerade as the spirits of the deceased ‘ará òrun kinkin’ the dwellers of heaven. They are a special being who communicates with humans and the Orishas; more like a middleman between humans and their ancestors.
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