There are two main schools of thought about the origins of Gelede, the historical and the mythological. The historical origins are linked to three possible places, Old Oyo, Ketu, and Ilobi. Ketu, one of the oldest and most elaborate of the Gelede performances has an origin story of a king dying and his two twin sons both vying for the throne. One brother, after learning that he wasn't going to get the throne came up with a plan to kill his twin. When the brother caught wind of the plan he came up with a counter plan that involved creating a mask and a makeshift person as a deception. The mythological origins are directly connected to Iya Nla, or the Great Mother, and her connection to motherhood and twins.