In the African Traditional Religion of Benin and some parts of Nigeria, Zangbeto are the voodoo guardians of the night.
Originally, they were the policemen of Benin and the primary guardians of law before the establishment of the Rule of Law.
It is said they were created to scare the enemy away. Zangbeto would wander the streets at night to detect thieves and witches and to provide law and order.
They are still so highly revered that I was told to take my shoes off while photographing them.
What I can only describe as “a costume” usually resembles a haystack. They (the people who may or may not don said costume) fall into a trance through which spirits inhabit them, I was told.
It is said that no humans are wearing the costumes; they are only spirits of the night. They tipped one over for the crowd to verify.