The Igbo people live in the northen part of the Nigeria River Delta, in an area of forest and swamps, and live primarily from farming. Their power is counter-balanced by secret societies.

Igbo masks are numerous and are used for initiation ceremonies and entertainment. This headdress was probably used in Ekeleke dances by the southern Igbo people. Ekeleke, often performed on stilts, is a festival honoring water spirits. It is a finely choreographed performance by several men wearing similar headdresses, imported, lace like cloth head coverings and skirts or wrappers of Indian madras cloth, locally called "George".