Bwami Society mukuba wa bifungo hat

Description:	In African societies, hats are often worn to reveal a person’s place in society or membership in a specific social organization. This hat was worn by a member of a special society called Bwami. Men and women of the Lega peoples in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly known as Zaire) belong to Bwami. Such social organizations give members a common bond and prestige within the community. They also serve to teach young men and women about social rules, morals, cultural traditions, beliefs and lore. All Bwami members wear small, circular woven hats, called bwami, at all times to show their membership in the society. These hats are greatly valued and carefully cared for. They cannot touch the ground and are buried with their owners when they die. There are five levels or grades within the Bwami society which members may earn over time. More elaborate hats, like this one, are worn by members of a certain grade, on top of a bwami hat. Animals are very important symbols often represented in Bwami society hats by way of imagery or materials. Because of the elephant hair extension on top of it, this hat (called mukuba wa bifungo) can be associated with the highest Bwami grade, Lutumbo Iwa Kindi. The elephant hair symbolizes the association between Bwami and the elephant with its quiet, potentially destructive strength.
Source:	http://www.digitalindy.org/cdm/ref/collection/tcm/id/300
Collection:	The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Rights:	https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/;
Copyright:	Creative Commons (CC By-SA 3.0);
Geography:	Congo (Democratic Republic)
Subjects:	Hats Headgear Congo (Democratic Republic) Congo (Democratic Republic) -- Social life and customs Lega (African people) Lega (African people) -- Social life and customs Lega (African people) -- Clothing Clothing and dress

Further information on this record can be found at its source.