The Igbo are from the East Central State of Nigeria and parts of the present Mid-western State. They live in scattered villages and speak a common language with different dialects. They believe in Chuku or Chineke (the Supreme Being) who controls the minor deities Anyanwu (the sun), Iwa (the sky) and Ale (the earth). Ale, the most important of these deities, is connected with Ndiche and Ajoku – the divine ancestors – themselves connected with yams. The masked dancers (mmuo) represent the ancestors and dance during festivals and funerals. An annual fertility play called ‘Ogbom’ is also performed for Ale, in which wooden headdresses are worn. Other wooden helmet masks, including painted ones of females with elaborate hairdos representing ideal feminine beauty (Isiekpe) and wild animal masks (Mmanwu Ogbuka) to represent the strength and vitality of young men are also worn by dancers.