Bamileke
Cameroon
Coastal West Africa
Dance Hat
INV-2298
Bamileke
Cameroon
Coastal West Africa20th century
bamilekeArts of Africaafrican ArtCoastal West Africahathuman hair
Date
20th century
Medium
Wool, rattan, and human hair
Dimensions
55.9 × 28 × 24.2 cm (22 × 11 × 9 1/2 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Donald Young and Shirley Weese Young
The representation of braids on this dance hat were used to invoke spirtitual powers and medicine to heal, honor, and protect those who attended and participated in special ceremonies. Hair and hairstyles are valued in cultures throughout the Cameroon Grassfields region, not only for their aesthetics but also as extensions of the human body that allow the wearer to transcend the material world. (after Koloss 2000)
Also notable
Works in the same vein
