Collection record · Objects & craft
Man's Bwami Prestige Cap (sawamazembe)
The collection record classifies this work as garment. It is dated early to mid-1900s. Recorded culture or place: Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lega-style maker.
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A closer look at the details.
- Museum title
- Man's Bwami Prestige Cap (sawamazembe)
- Date
- early to mid-1900s
- Culture / origin
- Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lega-style maker
- Materials and technique
- Plant fiber, seashells, seeds, pods, buttons, and probably cotton
- Dimensions
- Overall: 35.8 x 26.7 x 19.2 cm (14 1/8 x 10 1/2 x 7 9/16 in.)
- Artist / maker
- Not specified by the museum
- Museum
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession number
- 1995.211
FROM THE MUSEUM
In the museum’s words
The following description is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s original English record.
Among the Lega people of the eastern Democratric Republic of Congo, headgear was an important indicator of social position. Certain caps, headbands, and headdresses were the exclusive prerogative of the Bwami men's association. This headdress, called sawamazembe, was worn only by high-ranking members of this group. The hat's wig-like form represents a woman's coiffure, illustrating the blurring of gender distinctions among high-ranking Bwami members. The shell ornaments on the front suggest the moon, while buttons and a seed pod provide additional embellishment.
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Text and image sources
The Cleveland Museum of Art · John L. Severance Fund · CC0
The summary is based on public collection data. Refer to the museum’s latest record for the title, date and attribution.
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