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Dinka headrest (Sudan) dimension: cm. 44x18h. |
Swazi
"Izigqiki" headrest (Swaziland) dimension: cm. 46,5x16,5 h. |
Kuba/Nkushu double headrest (RDC) dimension: cm. 51,5x13,5. |
se a spiritual and also a functional need. On the spiritual side they represent a symbolic link between the living and the deceased, past and future and are given by women to their husbands upon marriage. On the functional side they serve to protect the elaborate hair decorations from being crushed and also from dirt and insects. There is also a strong level of status associated with headrests. Those that were beautifully and finely carved were highly prized then, as they are now. There are strong differences between the styles of headrests. For instance, between the neighbouring Zulu and Swazi people there are strong and clearly identifiable differences. Swazi headrests (as illustrated above) invariably consist of two fluted legs with a cross bar. There is also a "lug" midway between the legs on the underside. The legs tend to be pleated representing the woman's skirt.
