Headdress The League - Congo
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Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
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Coiffe rituelle de la société du Bwami, Lega, Democratic Republic of the Congo, an initiatory Bwami headdress dating to circa 1950–1970, made of braided plant fibres with shells, seeds and elephant hair, height 13.5 cm, diameter 16 cm, weighing 166 g, in good used condition with signs of wear, provenance Bwami society.
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Description from the seller
Ritual headdress of the Bwami society – Lega – Democratic Republic of the Congo – Mid 20th century
Description
Object: Initiate's headdress / prestige hat
Culture / Ethnicity: Lega
Country of origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Initiatic society: Bwami
Era / Period: Mid 20th century (ca. 1950 - 1970)
Materials: braided plant fibers, freshwater shell valves, plant seeds (type Mucuna / local seeds), elephant tail hair / animal hair, fiber-weave jaw strap.
Dimensions: Height ~13.5 cm (excluding the aigrette) | Diameter ~16 cm
Weight: 166 g
Condition: Very good condition. Beautiful patina of dark, authentic wear. Fiber structure remains firmly woven, the original ornamentation elements perfectly preserved.
Detailed description & cultural context
Within Lega ethnology, the entire social and moral structure rests on Bwami, a graded initiation society (notably the Yananio and the Kindi). Members wore ritual headdresses composed of natural elements assembled to symbolize their rank, knowledge, and high moral standing.
This headdress is distinguished by its carefully crafted spiral basketry sewn together. The rim is adorned on one side with polished freshwater shells and on the other with a cluster of plant seeds varnished through use, sewn onto the fiber support. The summit is crowned with an elegant aigrette of animal hair. Each decorative element represented a metaphorical language and a proverb revealed only to initiates.
A balanced collectible piece, representative of Central African textile and ritual art.
Tracked shipment with reliable tracking
Carefully packed
Ritual headdress of the Bwami society – Lega – Democratic Republic of the Congo – Mid 20th century
Description
Object: Initiate's headdress / prestige hat
Culture / Ethnicity: Lega
Country of origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Initiatic society: Bwami
Era / Period: Mid 20th century (ca. 1950 - 1970)
Materials: braided plant fibers, freshwater shell valves, plant seeds (type Mucuna / local seeds), elephant tail hair / animal hair, fiber-weave jaw strap.
Dimensions: Height ~13.5 cm (excluding the aigrette) | Diameter ~16 cm
Weight: 166 g
Condition: Very good condition. Beautiful patina of dark, authentic wear. Fiber structure remains firmly woven, the original ornamentation elements perfectly preserved.
Detailed description & cultural context
Within Lega ethnology, the entire social and moral structure rests on Bwami, a graded initiation society (notably the Yananio and the Kindi). Members wore ritual headdresses composed of natural elements assembled to symbolize their rank, knowledge, and high moral standing.
This headdress is distinguished by its carefully crafted spiral basketry sewn together. The rim is adorned on one side with polished freshwater shells and on the other with a cluster of plant seeds varnished through use, sewn onto the fiber support. The summit is crowned with an elegant aigrette of animal hair. Each decorative element represented a metaphorical language and a proverb revealed only to initiates.
A balanced collectible piece, representative of Central African textile and ritual art.
Tracked shipment with reliable tracking
Carefully packed
Details
Era
1900-2000
Material
Mixed fabric
Ethnic group/culture
The League
Designer/artist/maker
Coiffe rituelle de la société du Bwami
Country of origin
Congo
Indigenous object name
Ritual headdress of the Bwami society
Condition
Good condition, used with some signs of wear
Estimated period
1950-1970
Height
13.5 cm
Width
16 cm
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