Luba (Baluba, Kaluba, Louba, Uruwa, Waluba, Warua), Democratic Republic of the Congo

Headrest.  A headrest serves as a pillow that is both cool and comfortable in a tropical climate, and protects elaborate hairstyles by raising the head above the surface of the bed. Some hairdos took up to fifty hours to complete. Using a headrest allowed the hairdo to last two or three months. In addition to the great personal attachment that Luba people developed for their headrests, these were also seen as the seat of dreams. Luba consider dreams to be prophetic: dreams foretell important events, provide warnings and communicate messages from the other world. It is therefore fitting that headrests should be supported by the female priestesses who serve in real life as intermediaries and interlocutors for the spirits of the other world.

Material:  wood

Size:  H. 7”, L. 6”, D. 3”

Price: $155 + $21 (S&H)                    [#B2L9O639]