Crowning Achievements

Book excerpt: This volume explores the cultural history and lore of African headwear - from spectacular hats for special events to informal everyday examples - and the vital role such headwear plays in reinforcing societal norms, announcing important rituals, recalling historical events, and celebrating an individual's achievements. The human head is traditionally held by African cultures to be the seat of individual power, spirit, and intelligence. Through this examination of African headwear, notions of status and accumulation in the Lega and Kuba societies are compared, and connections between Africa and the Americas are explored. The history, manufacturing technology, symbolism, and provenance of 12 hats are examined in depth.