Cleveland Museum of Art

Wig (uyembe matota, wiyembe, or pulumba)

Date

early to mid 1900s

Medium

Plant fiber, pelt, and clay

Culture

Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, Chokwe, early to mid 20th century

Department

African Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Among the Chokwe, hats, diadems, and wigs of all sorts made in a variety of materials were once commonly worn by both men and women. Some were exclusive to religious and political titles. This wig imitates a female hairstyle in vogue until the 1960s. Made by a male craftsman, it was most typically worn by a woman at dances and other public festivals.

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