because she was obese like her mother. Also like her mother, Gelede loved dancing. After getting married themselves, neither Gelede or Efe's partner could have children. The Ifa oracle suggested they try the same ritual that had worked for their mother. No sooner than Efe and Gelede performed these rituals - dancing with wooden images on their heads and metal anklets on their feet - they started having children. These rituals developed into the Gelede masked dance and was perpetuated by the descendants of Efe and Gelede. This narrative is one of many stories that explains the origin of Gelede. Another theory states that the beginning of Gelede might be associated with the change from a matriarchal to a patriarchal society. The Gelede Society The Gelede festival promotes social harmony, because of this both men and women are involved within the society. With its connection to Iya Nla, or the Great Mother, the Gelede society has a large number of female members. This is in part because of its connection to motherhood and mothers, but also due to the belief that participation within this society helps in the fertility of the women. Men's participation within the masking performances are similarly linked, as participating in the performances could also increase fertility. Though men are not as concerned with this issue as women are due to the nature of the Yoruba society and women's roles within it. To be able to perform the various events within the Gelede festival, the Gelede society appoints officials, groups, and professionals to oversee various aspects within the society. Though the titles of these various groups and people vary from community to community the following are the most common: Iyalase, the Chief Priestess, meaning "mother of the shrine" is the head of this Gelede society. She is the main person of communication between Iya Nla, the community, and the Gelde Society. Iyalase's main function, outside of a point of communication, is being in charge of the Gelede shrine, Ase, where she is the only one allowed to enter. Babalase, the Chief Priest, meaning "father of the shrine" is the male equivalent of Iyalase. His main function within the Gelede society is the organization of the events for the Gelede festival. In line with being the organizer of the Gelede events, he is the official keeper of the Gelede headdresses and costumes. The Babalase is, in the most