Man's initiation hat

Object Details

Gisu artist

Label Text

Gisu headresses of this style are part of dance attire worn by young Gisu men during their year-long circumcision process. Among the Gisu, male circumcision is a physical ordeal. It occurs relatively late in life, with most initiates ranging from 18 to 24 years of age. Circumcision attire, and particularly the headress, is said to make the initiate look "wild." The tall headdress makes effective use of the long, black-and-white fur of the colobus monkey. It is the most visually arresting part of the dance regalia, drawing attention to the initiate's head that is tossed back and forth during the dance. In addition to the headress, the ensemble includes iron thigh bells, two or three to each leg, a cloth and cowrie shell girdle, a wide wood armlet, iron bracelets, and, at times, a flywhisk. Throughout the initiation process, the novice is frequently admonished not to confuse the glamor of the initiation costume and the spectacle of the pre-circumcision dances with the inner strength that the initiate must have in order to be circumcised.

Description

Tall hat made of the hide and fur of the black and white colobus monkey. The wide hide band on the lower part of the hat is encircled with four strands of cowrie shells, sewn to the hat using thread made from plant fiber. There are two holes in the upper central portion of the band, which originally may have served for decorative attachments. A plaited fiber loop is attached to the hat.

Exhibition History

TxtStyles: Fashioning Identity, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., June 11-December 7, 2008

Content Statement

As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.

Image Requests

High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/

Credit Line

Cultural donation provided by an anonymous donor

Mid-late 20th century

Object number

99-27-1

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Textile and Fiber Arts

Medium

Columbus money fur, skin, cowrie shells, plant fiber

Dimensions

H x W x D: 67.2 x 20.5 x 26.7 cm (26 7/16 x 8 1/16 x 10 1/2 in.)

Geography

Mount Elgon, Uganda

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

National Museum of African Art

Topic

Initiation

Adornment

Male use

monkey

male

Record ID

nmafa_99-27-1

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7725105be-92e1-4ada-a3d3-3f66ca63cd43