Mpondo Wig - South Africa

Pondo women wore decorative wigs or headdresses during the late 19th and 20th centuries.

.   Headdresses of the Mpondo are rare in collections.

 

 

 

Cords were made from plant fiber, ochre  and beads then  applied.    Over the years we have had a number of these, however we feel this will be the last ever offered.

Himba Ehando Wig

Worn by young girls during puberty.

Young Himba Women wearing Ehando wigs.

Between the ages of seven years and puberty, girls often wear wigs over their loosely hanging plaits during ceremonial festivities. These wigs are passed on from mother to daughter and quite rare in collections.

Galerie Ezakwantu offers a choice of two.

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images AFTER Page FULLY Loads   .     Example A

 

Made of elephant and or buffalo hide, twisted baobab fiber, glass beads, iron beads, fat and ochre.

.   Example B

Examples like these are extremely rare in museum collections.

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Himba Ekori Bonnet

Angola and Namibia

Himba woman wearing Ekori headdresses.

Galerie Ezakwantu offers a choice of two.

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images AFTER Page FULLY Loads   .   Example A

When a  young girl has completed her puberty ceremony, the so called Ekori festival takes place. At this stage she receives the Ekori headdress, and according to Kuvare (1977), only then becomes marriageable. The Ekori is made of tanned sheep or goatskin and has three leaf-shaped points, sometimes decorated with iron beads.

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images AFTER Page FULLY Loads   .   Example B

As soon as a young woman begins to wear the Ekori, long thin plaits (ozondjise) are made for her. Should she marry in the meantime she must observe a number of taboos while she wears the Ekori. She is only regarded as a fully-fledged woman only after she has borne a child.  When a woman has been married for about a year or has had a child, her Ekori headdress is replaced by the erembe headdress. (Below) The Ekori is from then on worn only during ceremonial occasions.

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Himba Erembe Headpiece

Angola and Namibia

Himba Women of various ages wearing Erembe head adornments.

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images AFTER Page FULLY Loads   .

As mentioned, the Ekori headdress is replaced by the Erembe headdress once a woman has been married for a year or gives birth to a child. The Erembe is made of skin of a goat’s head, fat and ochre. It is fastened under the hair at the back of her head by two thongs.  The women’s platelets are gradually lengthened. They may buy hair from other women.

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Zemba Headpiece

Angola - Namibia

Worn by both Zemba and Hakawana women.   Above is a Hakawana women from Angola

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images AFTER Page FULLY Loads .

 

This excelent example is exceptional in both content and form. Iron bead pendants reminisce those of the Himba.

 

Zimba and Hakawana headdresses are attached to the upper back portion of a persons head. They are built upon a leather base or flap, which is attached with thongs. Bright painted tin cans are attached to leather strips, with shells, glass beads and animal hair.

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Zulu Hats

Human Hair and Fabric Headdresses worn by Zulu Women

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Zulu women once displayed hairdos protruding to the rear.  On contact with Europeans, coiffures evolved into a removable type of hat.  Detachable Zulu hats increased in size, while human hair remained part of their construction.

 

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images AFTER Page FULLY Loads   .     Prior to the South African mini-bus taxi system of  today, rural transport was provided in big State owned buses. Large hats fell from fashion shortly after native South Africans were licensed to transport themselves, as space was inadequate for their use in smaller kombis - mini buses.

 

Galerie Ezakwantu has an exceptional collection of both human hair and fabric hats.

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Zulu Wig / Headdress

South Africa

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Sotho Hat - Lesotho

These hats were made by women. The detail to this example far exceeds the average.

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images AFTER Page FULLY Loads   .

 

A fabulous 20th century example, from the Kingdom in the Sky - Lesotho!

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Yaka or Suku Beaded Crowns

Democratic Republic of the Congo - DRC

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images AFTER Page FULLY Loads   .   A fabulous example dating to the mid 1900's..

 

It is not intention to make these fine crowns appear common, as they are not.

Galerie Ezakwantu targets the rare and finds it a pleasure to offer these here.

 

Suku Chief / Congo

 

Crowns were worn by headmen and chiefs.

 

Another Example

 

 

 

Click thumbnails for larger images.

 

.   This is a stunning example with a small beaded protrusion on each beaded horn.

 

Another Example

 

 

 

Click thumbnails for larger images.