This ancient traditional conical piece (a pangolin beak hat) originates from the Lega people. The Lega is an ethnic group found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. All Lega art is used within the context of the Bwami society for the production of most Lega artwork. A pangolin is a small mammal with a scaly hide that protects itself by coiling into a ball. Pangolin hats were worn by the members of Bwami’s Ngandu and Yananio grades. Animals are important in Bwami symbolism, and elephant, pangolin, and hornbill all represent different levels of Bwami
The hat was made in basketry form with crossed plant fiber. And woven together with plant material probably grass or vegetable. On the solid cone form, is attached scales and a beak (hornbill) on top of the hat. The scales and bird beak appear to have been sewn on to the hat through round holes. The strap is made from braided vegetable fiber decorated with cowrie shells. This is an old piece with visible signs of age and good usage.
- Material: Plant fiber, cowrie shells, pangolin scales and Hornbill
- Age:approx 55-75yrs
- Origin: Democratic Republic Of Congo
- Condition: Good
- SKU: CBDL-017
- Weight: 0.2 kg
- Dimensions: 15.5 x 28 x 16 cm