Masque facial avec mâchoire articulée "elu" ("esprit")

wood, two-part, pigments,

"Elu" masks, usually representing beneficient spirits, were usually worn by young men of the "ogoni" secret society.

Historically, masks were worn in ritual performances for funerals and when yams were planted and harvested.

More recently they appear at Christmas and New Year celebrations and to welcome important visitors.