Bamileke Headdress, Cameroon

A deep blue sun, with a darker center and a lot of curled edges.

This headdress is Bamileke, from Cameroon, Central Africa, and is contemporary. It is chicken feather. Bamileke feather headdresses of this type are generally linked to the Cameroon Grassfields, where they are part of dance and festive dress. Dyed royal blue feathers radiate from a tight center that darkens almost to navy. The long, narrow feathers overlap in rings, and a few pale quill tips and small beads show among them. The edge is uneven and fringed. It is 7 inches high and 30 in diameter.

Blue enough to be seen from some distance.