Helmet mask "gelede"

Description

wood, reddish brown patina, black paint, indigo blue and white pigment, plaited coiffure with pierced middle crest and broad brim, old collection number backside at the rim: “7893”, slightly dam., abrasion of paint, breakage (crest), traces from inserted nails around lower rim.
“Gelede” festivals are held at the arrival of the early spring rains and are performed in honour of “our mothers”, “awon iya wa”. They have been described as real spectacles with an enormous variety of headdresses and costumes.