Yoruba people in Southwest Nigeria und neighboring Benin.

Yoruba religion places a great importance on communication with the other world and establishing a relationship between their deities and their true self, known to the Yoruba as the Ori Inu (Inner Head). This is done through divination and other ritual ceremonies that change one’s outer appearance in order to symbolically connect the performer with his/her specific deity (orisha). These practices demonstrate the fundamental Yoruba belief in mind/body unity in which the mind and body are one. Yoruba are therefore greatly concerned with physical appearance because it allows for “cosmic communication” (Henry Drewal) with the deities and the reflection of one’s inner strength.

Spiritual divination is accomplished through the use of two methods of body decoration: the gbere and the osu. Gbere are hidden inoculations that facilitate worship and encourage divine possession through heightened senses. In contrast, the osu are temporary and visible paintings on the head. Deity- specific colors and patterns attract and direct cosmic forces and open the way for communication between the two worlds.
A key component in their religion is the idea of the inner and outer heads (Ori Inu and Ori Ode). The inner head represents the spiritual self and one’s true identity and destiny. The outer head acts as a shell for the inner head. Harmony is achieved between the two heads by maintaining beautiful outward appearances. Hairstyles reflect many personal attributes: one’s inner strength, taste, status, occupation, power, profession, age, state of mind, and stage in life. Women’s hair is often styled in a crown to honor the inner head. During spiritual ceremonies, men often take on this female hairstyle in order to harness the powers of the female deities.

Many other aspects of Yoruba culture reflect the importance placed on the inner and outer head. While Yoruba art is naturalistic in its depiction of the human body, it stays true to the ideals of their religion by placing disproportionate significance on the head. The head is literally created bigger than the body and often has elaborate crown-like hairstyles along with large, protruding eyes. These elements connect the inner head with the outer head and eyes, stressing the notion of perception and communication as tools to connect with the deities of the other world.