ESHU
Mythology of West Africa
A type of Spirit
The trickster SPIRIT of the Yoruba people of Nigeria, ESHU is known as ELEGBA and LEGBA to other people of West Africa. He cased discord and misery through his pranks and mischief making but was also a protector of mankind against evil SPIRIT and other dangers. As such, he is the patron of mothers in childbirth and the miners of the Nigerian coalfields. ESHU is depicted as having hair resembling an enormous lock of plaited and sculpted hair resembling a penis, adorned with the fruit of the oil palm, extending from the back of this head. Initiates into his cult both in West African and the Americas wear a mask or their hair resembling this feature.
Source: Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins Encyclopedia