Headdress

Living in south central Brazil along the Xingu river, the Kayapó make and wear visually striking feather adornment for social and ceremonial activities. They are designed with performance in mind.

Headdresses signify leadership roles, or reveal an individual’s status - feather ornaments hold great meaning as they reflect an avian cosmology in the trees above where the people live. The Kayapó are expert in land management and conservation, but their way of life is under threat from modern industrial activity.

According to the collector, this example was worn by men during name-giving ceremonies.

Object Summary

Accession Loan No.
9/2010/2
Collection Class
Religion and magic
Common Name
headdress
Simple Name
headdress
Period Classification
Modern (1945-)
Production County
near Xingu National Park
Production Country
Brazil
Production Year Low
1967
Production Year High
1973

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feather headdress (akoiaki)