One of the earliest masquerades in the Yoruba Kingdom is the Danafojura. No matter how big the fire is, this Egungun will not burn because its fire resistant. He also possesses the ability to knock people out and bring them back to consciousness.
A formidable and age-old masquerade, he is regarded as an “elder” by his contemporaries. He performs his dance performance amidst a massive conflagration while donning the costume of fire. During its outing, Danafojura tells his handlers to “Set me ablaze on fire,” which is the literal meaning of his name. This extremely old Egungun Danafojura ignites an enormous fire without suffering any harm. One of the few Egungun who appears in public during Oyo Kingdom’s “Ose Sango Festival.”
According to historical traditions, this masquerade Danafojura fought in elite fights when Shango (an Orisha), the son of Oranmiyan, was Oyo’s Alaafin during the Old Oyo Empire. Alaafin Ajaka and Oba Eweka of Benin were brothers. The Egúngún masquerade is described by scholars as the spirits of the dead, or “ará òrun kinkin,” or the inhabitants of heaven.
They are a unique entity that interacts with both humans and the Orishas, acting more as a go-between for people and their ancestors.
