Anthropomorphic dance crest

Description

wood, hide, pigments, basketry,

The Ekoi (Ejagham) are credited with being the first to have made and
danced with leather-covered headdresses. From them, this custom is said
to have spread throughout the Cross River area, and thus to have been
adopted by the Boki.

The headdresses were the property of various societies, of which the “ngbe” - leopard secret society is probably the best known and mostly widespread association in the Cross River area. “Ngbe” was an all-male society that probably once originated from an association of warriors.