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Man's Bwami Prestige Cap (sawamazembe)
early to mid-1900s
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
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 <em>sawamazembe</em>, 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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Details
- Title: Man's Bwami Prestige Cap (sawamazembe)
- Date Created: early to mid-1900s
- Physical Dimensions: Overall: 35.8 x 26.7 x 19.2 cm (14 1/8 x 10 1/2 x 7 9/16 in.)
- Provenance: Jacques Hautelet, La Jolla, CA, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH by purchase
- Type: Garment
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1995.211
- Medium: Plant fiber, seashells, seeds, pods, buttons, and probably cotton
- Fun Fact: This prestige cap combines local organic materials and imported machine-made materials like buttons.
- Department: African Art
- Culture: Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lega maker
- Credit Line: John L. Severance Fund
- Collection: African Art
- Accession Number: 1995.211
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