Royal Cap (Orikogbofo)

<p>Brilliantly colorful, Yoruba crowns and hats feature strands of tiny glass beads sewn on a cloth base. These glass beads normally distinguish worshippers of different <em>orisa</em>, or deities: white beads are worn by Obatala worshipers, black and red by Esu worshipers, red and white by Sango, green by Ifa, and so on. The presence of a full spectrum of colors on royal crowns thus visibly demonstrates that in the person of the Oba, or king, all religious groups are united. The makers of <em>orikobofo</em> are liberated from rigid conventions and are able to explore new designs, color combinations, and forms.</p>