Headrest

ClassificationsFurnishings-Furniture-headrests

Culture Kaara

Date20th Century

Made AtEthiopia, Africa

MediumWood and metal

Dimensions6 3/4 × 5 13/16 in. (17.1 × 14.8 cm)

Credit LineAnonymous Gift

Object number2019.22.5

DescriptionA member of the Kaara culture of Ethiopia made this headrest sometime in the 20th Century, though similar saddle-shaped wooden headrests are made in the border region between Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda. Headrests are commonly used throughout Africa to help protect intricate coiffures while resting, though in many cases they carry with them a certain degree of spiritual meaning or prestige. Like many African headrests, this saddle-shaped design allows the object to be used as either a stool or a headrest. Among many of the other groups that used this style of headrest, it was reserved for usage by men who carried them on their belts using the attached ring.

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