NIGERIAN YORUBA PEOPLE GELEDE MASK. A Yoruba Gelede mask used in the Gelede ceremonies of the Yoruba people of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, which honor and appease the ancestral mothers, known as "awon iya" or "our mothers". The ceremonies celebrate female power and promote social harmony. Gelede masks often depict elaborate hairstyles, scarifications, and animal motifs, reflecting Yoruba aesthetics and beliefs. They are typically made of wood and painted with vibrant colors. - Height: 9 inches. Estimate $100-120
