Guardian Body Mask

The mask is thought to represent Iya Nla, the Great Mother, and is placed as a guardian over an inverted pot which holds the sacred paraphernalia of the “Great Powerful Mother” IYA NLA
This type of body mask is not worn, but carried on a platform during the afternoon Gelede dance performance Outstretched arms, attached to the trunk can be manipulated with the help of a sting. Some of these masks are associated with the mothers, certain divinities (also a gorilla), or messengers.
All of these masks are kept inside a shrine, which is only accessible to senior members of the Gelede society. They are thought to guard the sacred paraphernalia of the Great Powerful Mother Iya Nla