Pende peoples, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Plant fibers, leather, brass tacks
98-9-2, purchased with funds provided by
the Annie Laurie Aitken Endowment
This type of wig is based on a traditional coiffure styled with hair, clay, oil, copper nails, cowrie shells and, at times, beads. While both men and women wore the hairstyle, only men wore the wig as part of their daily attire. On special occasions it was embellished with parrot feathers.
This type of wig probably originated among the Pende and was later adopted by neighboring groups such as the Mbala. It is made of a raffia fiber framework and forms a graceful arc that curves inward at its ends. The placement of raffia strands and braids mimic strands of hair in an actual coiffure. Brass tacks inserted along the length of the wig are arranged in patterns forming parallel lines and triangular designs.