Bamileke - Cameroon

Palm Stems, Feathers

Size: +/- 30" Diameter

This is the Cameroon Grasslands most prestigious feathered headress. Associated with the ndop, a ritual cloth decorated with symbolic patterns on an indigo blue ground, it is worn by the members of the powerful secret societies during ritual dances, funeral or initiatory ceremonies and a variety of celebrations. It consists of a basket structure into which a large number of palm stems are inserted, each of these being tipped with the red feather of a parrot, toucan or other bird. The appearance of this headress may vary greatly according to size, the type of feather used and the way the latter arranged.