Found amongst the Southern Yoruba people of Ijebu, these head dresses are used for the masquerade cult known as Agbo, Magbo or Ekine (meaning 'dancing people' in Ijo), who pays homage to Olokun, (goddess of sea) as well as a number of other water spirits. Influenced by Ijo style and believed to be used as a way for the Yorubas to adapt to living by the coast and coming to terms with the sea.

The headdresses are used during masquerade celebrations to acknowledge the roles of water spirits in the wellbeing of Ijebu coastal communities. IJEBU WATER SPIRIT MASK
NIGERIA.