appuie tête Chokwé - Neck rest - Wood

Chokwé Headrest - DRC/Zaire

These objects are often described as supports intended to protect elaborate hairstyles, which often take many hours, even long days, to complete.

But hairstyles are not only adornment: they dignify and signal age, gender, and social status to those who know how to read them.

More often still, they serve as a support for magico-religious signs and symbols. Adapted from page 21 of the book "Sleeping Beauties".

The headrest is also and above all a "support for dreams". It fosters dreams laden with symbols that will influence the daytime life of its owner or of the clan. They can also, as with the Chokwé, serve as an instrument of divination. It will also sometimes serve as a small seat.