Early and rare decorative bonnet "edoban" or "etue", 19th century · Gabon, Fang (Pangwe) · ID: 3047184
Brandl, Bochum, Germany
Hans-Otto Glitza, Marl, Germany (1969)
Description
leather, plant fibre, fabric, copper nails, cowry shells, glass beads, buttons,
This decorative bonnet was brought to Germany by DO. P. Jüngling. In a letter dated December 11, 1939, he reports that he received it as a gift from a chief in Africa, where it once adorned the head of this chief’s favorite woman.
Tessmann already mentions these headdresses and describes in detail their production and the materials used (Tessmann, Berlin, Bd.1,1913, p. 175 ff.).
He calls them “helmet caps” and reports that they were modelled on elaborate hairstyles of human hair.
He further reports that they were “not produced frequently” and only by the Ntumu and few Fang (Okak). Ornamental caps as well as helmet hairstyles were worn permanently by both sexes and were only taken off as a sign of mourning and sometimes before a hunt.
Comparing literature
Tessmann, Günter, Die Pangwe, Bd. 1, Berlin 1913, Abb. 119