Hat Item Number: K2.343 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Woven, palm leaf hat in a conical shape with a leather brim, top and detailing. The brim is painted with a vertical stripe design in red, yellow and brown. The top is painted red and black with multiply thin brown leather strips hanging down from the tip. The body of the hat is detailed with dyed palm strips in purple, blue and black along with leather diamonds painted black and red with white outline. There is a thin brown leather strap that hangs down from the inner rim.
History Of Use
The tengade, or gaban, is usually used to protect the wearer from the sun. Fulani nomads, shepherds, and pastoralists use these hats when they take their cattle from dry lands to more fertile lands. Herdsman hats are most often worn by the Wodaabe tribe. While it is usually worn for protection, men also often wear it during festivals to attract women. These hats are also a symbol of wealth and status, and indicate tribal affiliations and identities. They are traditionally made by women.
Specific Techniques
Grass weaving involves taking several thin leaves of the same length and using one of them to bind the outside of the other leaves. This creates a strand which can then be bent around other bound leaves in order to interlock and create a structured weave. This method does not require a loom or tools.
Item History
- Made in Mali
- Collected by Deborah Taylor between 1971 and 1972
- Owned by Deborah Taylor before 1972
- Received from Leon & Thea Koerner Foundation (Funding source) and Deborah Taylor (Seller) during 1972
What
Who
- Culture
- Fulani
- Field Collector
- Deborah Taylor
- Previous Owner
- Deborah Taylor
- Received from
- Leon & Thea Koerner Foundation (Funding source) and Deborah Taylor (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Mali
When
- Collection Date
- between 1971 and 1972
- Ownership Date
- before 1972
- Acquisition Date
- during 1972
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0200/0051