Phyllis Galembo: Ewokom Masquerade, Eshinjok Village, Nigeria, 2004

Aperture is pleased to release a special limited-edition photograph by Phyllis Galembo on the occasion of the reissue of her Aperture publication Maske.

Galembo has photographed cultural and religious traditions in Africa and the African Diaspora for over two decades. Traveling widely throughout western and central Africa and regularly to Haiti, Galembo photographs participants in masquerade events—traditional African ceremonies and contemporary costume parties and carnivals—who use costumes, body paint, and masks to create mythic characters.

Galembo made this image in the Eshinjok Village in Nigeria, “where the costume traditions and dance societies within individual villages vary widely. Some troupes wear bright crocheted costumes rich with symbols evoking spiritual powers. They perform on commission, appearing at ceremonies and celebrations such as funerals, coronations, and weddings. While the masked performers are always male, they represent both the male and female spirits.” Setting up an outdoor studio, Galembo would wait for the masqueraders, who would show up in twos or threes, often accompanied by attendants, children, and other onlookers.

Each limited-edition print is hand-packed with great care and ships from New York within 3–5 days.