Two Shai Female Initiates

Two girls relax together before the final stage of their initiation. During their final week of Dipo instruction, they will learn about the subtleties of seduction, including special techniques for making love. Each initiate wears a unique headdress called cheia. Made of hoops of cane wrapped in blackened cord, the headdress is constructed on the girl’s head the day before the ceremony. It takes six hours to complete and will remain in place for a week.