2000.333

Conical helmet or headdress made from woven vegetable fibre and covered in small red and black seeds (Aborus precatorius). The top of the helmet is in the form of a column rising out of the crown; on either side there are open loop flaps which protect the ears; front and back are a beaded fringe and a elongated V-shaped flap. The fringe has some small balls of raw cotton. An accompanying label suggests the flap is the front of the helmet. No details on collector, but label states from Shendam, on Central Plateau, Northern Nigeria, Africa.

Shendam

1850 - 1942

19th century, 20th century

seed, fibre, cotton

, woven

Head-dress made and worn by the Shandam Pagans on ceremonious occasions. The Pagans are a tribe living in Nigeria.