Epa, helmet mask

pa festivals take place in the northeastern kingdoms of the Yoruba region in Nigeria. Intended to ensure the fertility and welfare of the community, the festival features spectacular dances performed by young men. The dancers make their appearance carrying elaborate masks on their heads which are carved from a single piece of wood. The central figure in this mask could be a priest or a diviner identifies by the hat, the divination board and the ritual accoutrements the surround him. Based on its stylistic features, this mask could be the work of master carver Bamgboye of Odo Owa.