Janus headed dance crest

Description

wood, polychrome paint, remains of fabric, crowned by a separate worked bird, min. dam., cracks, minor missing parts, traces of abrasion, on wooden base;
probably belonging to the “ogrinya” society. Membership was only allowed to men who already killed an elephant, a lion or a human. It’s not clear up to nowadays in how far such dance crests go back to head hunting traditions. But fact is, that most of the ethnical groups in this area in former times captured enemy skulls for ritual purposes. The crests were worn at funeral ceremonies or harvest festivities.