African Artifact - RareBoni/Somali Headrest - Somalia

Dimensions:      6.3 inches long, 7 inches high, 2.6 inches wide Weight: 116 grams Materials: Wood Country of origin: Somalia  Tribe: Boni/Somali Estimaged age: 2nd half of 20th century

This headrest was a rare find & the seller understandably struggled to part with it! He estimates that it is between 50 & 60 years old. The intricate carvings in the wood are beautiful. Despite its age, the headrest is still in good condition, barring the natural cracks & chips in the wood that come about with time. The fine carvings have also become less prominent with age. Somali and Boni nomads make use of two types of headrests; one with a single cylindrical supporting column and one with a double column. It appears that the different styles are for men of different status, with the single-columned variety for young men and the double-columned variety reserved for elders. The more elaborate the headrest is, the higher the status is of its owner. This headrest was obviously made for an elder as it is double-columned. Information: Men in East Africa use headrests both as pillows and as indicators of status. This type of man's headrest is used by the Boni of northeastern Kenya and southern Somalia and by Somali nomads. Men's headrests generally feature a smaller base that makes them somewhat unstable to sleep on, while the rectangular bases of women's headrests are usually more stable. The small, easily unbalanced base has made the headrest an emblem of alertness and the ability to wake to action. Made of sturdy but relatively light wood, the headrests are used on beds and are carried by herdsmen, who also use them to rest while keeping an eye on their herds. Boni shepherds rest while standing on a single leg, with their head lying on the neckrest set on their shoulder. These neckrests symbolize vigilance because since their base is so small, the resting person could not fall asleep without falling over. The patterns on Somali and Boni headrests probably reflect the Islamic influence in the region. Some scholars interpret the patterns and iconography as a "form of shorthand for a prayer," to ensure God's protection of the sleeper. Headrests also play an important role in the nuptial ceremonies of Somali nomads. On his wedding night, the groom places the tubash (a sum of money) under the bride's headrest. The morning after the marriage is consummated, the bride will use this money to purchase an amber necklace, the symbol of her new status. The headrests are carved from a single piece of fine-grained wood known as hagar in Somali, or also yucub wood. The wood is usually left its natural colour, but is sometimes painted red or black by its owner. They may be carved by the owner or commissioned from an artist.

Shipping Information: There are 3 types of shipping available:          Airmail (Air): This is the standard and most reliable method as items get there quickly, approximately 10-15 working days.     Surface Mail (Sea): This method is much cheaper, but items can take up to 3 months to arrive, and fragile items have a higher risk of being damaged in transit. SURFACE MAIL prices for this item: N & S America, Canada, Mexico: $15 Europe, UK+ Germany: $17 Asia, Australia, Japan: $13       Airport to airport (Air): This can be a very cost effective & fast method if you live near an airport & are willing to collect the item yourself. This method is only cost effective if an item or combined items weigh over 8 kg. Shipping charges are based on the WEIGHT and volume of a parcel & are shipped from South Africa, where I live: Shipping Discounts: I offer very good shipping discounts on multiple items - so buy as much as you like, send me an email to say you're done & I'll send you a combined invoice including the discount!

Payment, Returns & Other details: Payment: I prefer Paypal, but will also accept a direct transfer. Please just ask if you'd like to pay via another method & I'll do my best to accommodate you. Returns: If the item arrives not as described or broken, I'll happily refund you for the amount you paid (including shipping). Please note that this does not include shipping from your country back to me (in South Africa). Gifts: Let me know if your item is a gift & I'll include a gift card with a note of your choice.