Following a Kuba man's initiation as an adult member of society, he wears a small conical raffia fibre hat (laket) to indicate his status. As he progresses in society, his laket cap transforms in appearance. This fine cap, which would have belonged to a prominent member of Kuba society, is larger in size than the typically small laket caps, and has been decorated with a group of owl feathers. These feathers are a significant detail, as the visual insignia of the wearer's high social position. This type of feather (lashal) attached to a laket cap is an emblem of a particular title in Kuba society, associated with the characteristics of different birds. Considered the rulers of the forest and night sky, owls are associated with the kikaam - the chief of the Kuba initiation society.
Estimated Period: 1930's
Ex Emmanuel Ameloot Collection, Belgium
H (Excl. Stand): 23cm
Diameter of Cap: 18.5cm
Reference
Crowning Achievements: African Arts of Dressing the Head, 161 -163
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