Headdress Item Number: B793 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Brown-black, elongated dome-shaped, woven wool base covered with cowrie shells, beads, bells, circular brass metal ornaments and mother of pearl (?) ornaments. Geometric designs in yellow and blue on the bottom edge; brown wool fringe along bottom edge. Large maroon pom-pom near top and many red beads.
History Of Use
Worn as every day attire and is an essential item for dance. Worn by girls and women on top of the shusut (see B794) on ceremonial occasions.
Cultural Context
Reflection of the wealth of the family.
Narrative
The Kalash are geographically isolated in several valleys in northern Pakistan, close to the Afghan border. Although they are surrounded by Islamic peoples, their religion is polytheistic, with a Vedic pantheon. Linguistically, however, they are related to Afghani and the languages of Swat.
Purple plume of wool threads on top called tumbiek. Front fluff of yellow and green threads called pushik.
Item History
- Made by Kon Jeiki (Maker) in Broun, Northwest Frontier, Pakistan before 1973
- Owned by Gillian Darling Kovanic before April 1, 1974
- Received from Barrett Montford Endowment Fund (Funding source) and Gillian Darling Kovanic (Seller) on April 1, 1974
What
- Name
- Headdress
- Identification Number
- B793
- Type of Item
- headdress
- Material
- wool fibre, plastic, shell ?, brass metal, cowrie shell and glass
- Manufacturing Technique
- sewn and woven
- Overall
- height 72.0 cm, width 31.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Kalash
- Creator
- Kon Jeiki (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Gillian Darling Kovanic
- Received from
- Barrett Montford Endowment Fund (Funding source) and Gillian Darling Kovanic (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Broun, Northwest Frontier, Pakistan
When
- Creation Date
- before 1973
- Ownership Date
- before April 1, 1974
- Acquisition Date
- on April 1, 1974
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0254/0003