Sawfish Headdress Item Number: 2736/9 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Sawfish headdress, made of wood painted red, black and white, has protuding eyes and a long sawfish rostrum bound onto the top with string. Attached to the small base are three braided grass strands knotted together to fit over the head, six long grass pleats that hang down like hair and a black grass fringe. A cushioning ring of black cloth is attached with string to base.
History Of Use
Used in Bijogo initiation masquerades. Initiation imparts knowledge that enable boys and men to carve the ceremonial instruments required at death to enable them to be conjoined with the creator god, Nindut. With the exception of Bijogo initiation masquerades, sharks, sawfish, rays and other marine animals are rarely represented in African art.
Item History
- Made in Bissagos Islands, Guinea-Bissau
- Owned by Art Africa before April 20, 2009
- Received from Art Africa (Seller) and U.B.C. Office of the Provost (Funding source) on April 20, 2009
What
- Name
- Sawfish Headdress
- Identification Number
- 2736/9
- Type of Item
- headdress
- Material
- wood, paint, grass, cotton fibre, sisal fibre and sawfish tooth
- Overall
- height 94.0 cm, width 27.5 cm, depth 10.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Bijogo
- Previous Owner
- Art Africa
- Received from
- Art Africa (Seller) and U.B.C. Office of the Provost (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Bissagos Islands, Guinea-Bissau
When
- Ownership Date
- before April 20, 2009
- Acquisition Date
- on April 20, 2009
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 2736/0009