Headrest Date Unknown

This wooden headrest was likely made in Southern Africa at some point in the past. Headrests such as this one were commonplace in the region, and were used as more than just a comfortable place to rest the head. The carvings on the supports of the headrest may indicate a clan affiliation, or even the status of the owner within their community. This object gives us an insight into the owner's life, because headrests like this were so personal to them. The head was considered the most sacred part of the body, and so the object it rested on was sacred too. It was often taken with the owner when they traveled. Understanding the history of an object like this requires in-depth knowledge of the cultures and customs of Southern Africa. By looking at surviving examples of this kind of object and researching the social history of the region, we can gain a deeper understanding of this carving, and the person who once used it.