crescent shaped headrest atop a house with four post legs; all on a rectangular base

Headrest, c. 1880

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Among all African cultures, the Yaka are specifically known for their unique headrest designs. They include a variety of shapes and designs as well as carvings of animals, humans, and structures. The house motif depicted on this headrest is representative of the domestic unit in Yaka society, which is vital to bringing people together and building community. The images used on headrests are often inspired by dreams, which are highly valued by the Yaka and are connected to the spiritual power of their headrests.

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Yaka Headrest (#447)
Details
Title
Headrest
Role
Artist
Accession Number
99.207.1
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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crescent shaped headrest atop a house with four post legs; all on a rectangular base