Antropomorphic headdress

Description

wood, animal skin, human hair, paint, wickerwork, missing parts, insect caused damage

The Boki live in areas bodering the Cross River in both southeast Nigeria and Cameroon. Until very recently hunting associations were common throughout the region. A man could only achieve membership in such an organization once he had slain a wild animal. Such establishments often used such head crests in performances at specific times of the hunting year, and at the funerals of members.