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Artist:
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Pokot
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Title:
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Headrest
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Date:
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20th century
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Medium:
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Wood, cloth, metal
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Dimensions:
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7 1/4 x 7 7/8 x 3 5/8 in. (18.4 x 20.0 x 9.2 cm)
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Credit Line:
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The Christina N. and Swan J. Turnblad Memorial Fund
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Location:
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Gallery Not on view
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When boys are initiated into the Pokot social hierarchy, their headrests are adorned with decorations to commemorate this rite of passage. Headrests in Pokot society, like in many other African cultures, denote one's place in a community by showing status and role. Since the Pokot are nomadic pastoralists who also value elaborate coiffures, they need small, portable headrests to protect their hair. This is one of the few regions where headrests are still used today.
Object Description
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Classification:
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Woodwork
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Physical Description:
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one piece of wood carved into T-shape; top of 'T' is carved into convex rectangle; an old zipper runs through a hole in the center pole
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Creation Place:
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Africa, Kenya, East Africa region
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Accession #:
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95.49
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Owner:
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The Minneapolis Institute of Arts
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