Wig (uyembe matota, wiyembe, or pulumba)
Unknown Artist
early to mid 1900s
Medium
Plant fiber, pelt, and clay
Dimensions
12.7 × 24.8 × 27.3 cm
Classification
Garment
Department
African Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
The Jane B. Tripp Charitable Lead Annuity Trust
Accession Number
2007.1
About this artwork
Among the Chokwe, hats, diadems, and wigs of all sorts made in a variety of materials were once commonly worn by both men and women. Some were exclusive to religious and political titles. This wig imitates a female hairstyle in vogue until the 1960s. Made by a male craftsman, it was most typically worn by a woman at dances and other public festivals.