Egungun masquerade in full color, Porto-Novo

Two elaborately costumed individuals, likely participants in a festival or ritual, are seated outdoors in Porto-Novo, Benin. The individual on the left wears a green headdress adorned with shells and beads, a flowing green robe embellished with gold trim and sequins in patterns of animals and flowers, and holds a wooden object in their gloved hand. The individual on the right is similarly attired, with a headdress covered in shells and fabric, a mask-like face with colorful sequins and fringe, and a multi-patterned outfit featuring shells and sequins, including a beaded inscription that reads "JIKE MIJU" across the chest. They wear gloves and intricately decorated shoes. A man in a light blue shirt and jeans stands behind and to the left of the person on the left. In the background, a red-brown building with a corrugated metal roof is visible, along with a green pole with white lettering and other people in the distance, some wearing traditional clothing. The ground is a reddish-brown earth. The sky is clear and blue.

In Porto-Novo, Benin, a traditional Egungun masquerade takes place, featuring a costumed individual adorned in a vibrant, heavily embellished outfit. The costume is a profusion of colorful fabrics, primarily red and yellow, with intricate appliqués and fringed borders in shades of brown and gold. A striking headdress, constructed from numerous small white shells, crowns the figure, adding to its imposing presence. The masquerader holds a metallic object that appears to be a sword or blade, and a wooden staff. Standing behind the masquerader, a man in a denim shirt is visible. Further in the background, another young man wearing a patterned t-shirt and red shorts observes the scene, standing near a white tent structure. The ground is composed of reddish-brown earth, typical of the region. The backdrop features a building with an orange-brown textured wall. The sky above is clear and blue.

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