The voluminous, crested hairstyle of these two Ibeji (twin figures) symbolizes status and beauty in the Yorùbá region of southwestern Nigeria. In the past, men and women believed that the head (orí) was lord of the body and the seat of personality. Olódùmarè, the supreme god in Yorùbá religion, was thought to breathe life into each person through their head. As a result, much attention was paid to dressing the head and making it appear larger. Whitten was fascinated by this crest form, which is found throughout west African figurative sculpture. Its presence inspired the blade forms that appear throughout his work.