Headrest, 19th century
Yaka or Songoexpand_more
Woodexpand_more
Gift of Evan M. Maurer in memory of Barry D. Maurerexpand_more 97.168.3
Not on Viewexpand_more
Historically, headrests were a powerful piece of property in Yaka and Songo societies because of the spiritual energy they conveyed to the user during sleep. Unlike other cultures where headrests were passed down through a family as an heirloom, the Yaka and Songo viewed their headrests as personal property. Male authority figures and matriarchal heads primarily used them to denote status in society. Because their cultural values have changed, modern Yaka and Songo societies no longer use headrests.
Details
- Title
- Headrest
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 97.168.3
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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