Item Records

This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.

The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.

These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.

  • Data
  • Data Source

This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Bull headdress consisting of curved crown-like wood head piece with carved bull head facing forward from top and long strands of darker and lighter dried grass and red ribbons hanging down in two thick bunches from grass pompoms at the base of the wood. Long, squared rods, with circular tips and hanging red ribbons, project up from the bottom sides of the headpiece. Carved and painted designs in white, red and black decorate the wood on both sides and a piece of rope is knotted through a hole below the bull head..

History Of Use

Bijogo society is stratified into seven age grades, at least four of which are associated with specific masquerades. These crested head pieces, sometimes including the head of a long-horned bush cow or the snout of a hammer-head shark in their centre, are worn by young boys in the first and second age grades, gn’opara. Only by completing the full cycle of initiation are deceased adults able to avoid becoming wandering spirits and unify themselves with the creator deity, Nindut.

Item History

With an account, you can ask other users a question about this item. Request an Account

With an account, you can submit information about this item and have it visible to all users and institutions on the RRN. Request an Account

Similar Items