The shark’s intimidating appearance and predatory behavior accounts for its popularity as a masquerade character in the Niger Delta. For generations, fishermen have braved shark-infested water in dugout canoes. Hunting sharks requires immense courage thus Ijo communities often award warrior titles to men who succeed in killing their prey. Men who have survived an encounter entertain listeners with spellbinding tales. Ijo Peoples, the region’s leading fishermen, probably originated masks representing such marine animals, but these particular masks have spread far inland. Some shark masks are decorated with paint while some are identifiable as specific breeds of shark.