Traditionnelle coiffe de femme "ekori" ·  Namibie, Herero · ID: 3048845

Description

hide (sheep or goatskin), iron beads,

Typical form, consisting of leather bonnet “ocipa” with three pointed leather horns “ozonya” and ornamental leather band “ombeta”.

The bonnet was worn on the back of the head. Towards the front, a veil made of soft animal skin was attached, which, rolled up, framed the woman’s face. The ornamental band was placed around the back of the head at the seam of cap and veil. Iron beads found on the bonnet and ornamental band were symbols of wealth.

This type of headdress dates from the 19th century or earlier. The “ekori” is no longer worn today. In the late 19th century, in the course of Christianisation, it was replaced by a headdress made of cloth called “otjikaiva”.

Littérature comparée

Arnoldi, Mary Jo & Christine Mullen Kreamer, Crowning achievements, Los Angeles 1995, p. 37