Ceremonial ipiedza helmet with cowrie shells
| Description: |
Helmets like this one, called ipiedza, are worn by hunters and warriors among peoples of northern Ghana and Togo in Western Africa during festivals associated with hunting and war. The cow horns represent the large animals power and strength. Used as one of the first forms of currency in Africa, cowrie shells have come to represent wealth, prosperity and good luck. The helmet style of this type of headdress was probably influenced by Islamic metal helmets of similar shape. This particular helmet was made and worn between 1960-1965. |
|---|---|
| Source: |
http://www.digitalindy.org/cdm/ref/collection/tcm/id/591 |
| 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: |
Ghana |
| Subjects: |
Headgear Ghana Ghana--Social life and customs Togo--Social life and customs Helmets 1960s |
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