Prestige robe (agbádá or dàńdógó)

The Yorùbá adopted the tailored, embroidered agbádá robe after the northern Fulani Empire conquered the Ọ̀yọ́ Yorùbá Empire during the early nineteenth century. A voluminous garment that highlights its wearer’s wealth and social importance, the agbádá is worn with matching top, trousers, and cap. Made from expensive ẹtù cloth, this oversized agbádá (or dàńdógó) is the most sumptuous type. Shot through with white silk, ẹtù’s inky blue color is achieved by repeatedly dipping threads into indigo dye before weaving. The egúngún incorporates remnants of at least two agbádá, a fitting choice for a mask that uses rich textiles to honor ancestors.