Skullcap "laket mishiing" or "hat with strings" ·  D. R. Congo, Kuba · ID: 3035618

Description

fine raffia plait, four tongue-like projections with strings, fibres dyed in light and dark brown, fine netting, two small drilled holes;
the heads of novices entering the forest initiation camp are shaved, symbolically suggesting their immature status. After a period of seclusion and instruction they are presented to the community in festive dances as adult members of society. On these occasions they wear long woven raffia skirts and often such a small conical hat “laket” that designates their newly achieved adult status.

The object Skullcap “laket mishiing” or “hat with strings” with the object ID 3035618 was last part of the auction 74th tribal art auction at September 7, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 346.

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Comparing literature

Arnoldi, Mary Jo & Christine Mullen Kreamer, Crowning achievements, Los Angeles 1995, p. 164, ill. 9.7a