Lega Hat Buttons on Basketry Bwami Society Congo

	Brand Unbranded Title Lega Women's Hat Buttons on Basketry Bwami Society Congo Type of Object Hat Country of Origin Democratic Republic of Congo People Lega Materials Vegetal fibers, buttons Approximate Age Mid 20th century Height (in) 5 Width (in) 12 with strap Depth (in) 20 neck Overall Condition Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.   Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.  We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.  Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage. Damage/Repair tears, stains and discoloration; see pictures for details Lega Bwami is a cultural association found in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which includes the Kivu and Maniema provinces. It is known for its intricate system of initiation rites and ceremonies, which involve the use of various symbolic objects and artifacts, including the famous Lega Bwami Hat. The Lega Bwami Hat is a symbol of authority and status within the association. It is typically made from woven palm fibers and decorated with various materials, such as animal fur, shells, beads, and feathers. The hat is worn by members of the Bwami association during ceremonies and other important events. One of the most distinctive features of the Lega Bwami Hat is the use of small, intricately carved buttons or disks, which are often sewn onto the hat in decorative patterns. These buttons are known as "bwami" or "bami" and are considered to be potent symbols of Bwami authority and knowledge. The buttons are typically made from plastic or wood and are decorated with symbolic designs that represent various aspects of Lega culture and mythology. Some made of plastic, most likely from missionary’s clothing! In Lega society, the possession of bwami buttons is a sign of social status and achievement, as they are earned through a series of initiation rites and other accomplishments within the Bwami association. The buttons are also uséd as teaching aids during Bwami ceremonies, with each button representing a specific lesson or piece of knowledge. Overall, the Lega Bwami Hat and its associated buttons are important cultural artifacts that provide insight into the rich symbolism and complex social structures of Lega society in the Congo.   For a fascinating article with numerous examples, see Elizabeth Cameron's article on Lega Hats in Arnoldi and Kreamer's CROWNING ACHIEVEMENTS-AFRICAN ARTS OF DRESSING THE HEAD. See also an example from the Collection of Marc and Denyse Ginzberg, Sotheby's, Paris, 10 september 2007, fig. 61 A **130610** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2023 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page.
	Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 56,000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125,000 in charity auctions. Customer Service : We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care! Handling Time : We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours. Returns : We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card. Combining Shipping : You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order. When you're ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we'll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card. U.S. Shipping : Our staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of labor and the special packing materials uséd is reflected in our shipping price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage. . International Shipping : We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request. Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as "gifts"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior. Newsletter, previews and special offers : Sign up for our newsletter Go to Africa Direct Store

eBay integration by

• Age Level: Mid 20th Century
• Brand: Unbranded
• Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Item Height: 5.0
• Item Width: 5.0
• Maker: Lega Artisan
• Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Original/Reproduction: Original
• Style: None
• Type: Hat
• author: None

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