Object Details
- Label Text
- Kuba hats are important visual manifestations of Kuba ideas about ethnicity, status and leadership. This hat, or laket, is one of the most common forms of hats worn by adult Kuba men. A small, domed cap with a scalloped edge, it forms the foundation for other, more elaborate Kuba hat styles. All Kuba hats are created by male specialists from undyed raffia fiber using the basketry technique of coiling. A scalloped edge of four projections or "ears," completes the circular shape of the basic lakat. The laket is worn on the crown of the head so that one of the ears is always squarely centered on the face; a hat pin runs through the hair from the front to the back of the hat. The many surface textures and patterns of the laket reflect the variations possible with the coiling technique and the skillful manipulation of the hatmaker. The laket is often embellished with contrasting embroidery or oversewn with two to three tightly spaced rows of twisted raffia thread (mishiing), thus adding a sculptural quality to the hat.
- Description
- Coiled raffia fiber hat in the form of a truncated cone with a scalloped edge of four projections or "ears" with vertical strings and two rows of triangular decoration in yellow and black.
- Provenance
- Private collection, Washington, D.C., -- to 2000
- Private collection, Arlington, Virginia, 2000
- Content Statement
- As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
- Image Requests
- High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
- Data Source
- National Museum of African Art
- Maker
- Kuba artist
- Date
- Mid-late 20th century
- Credit Line
- Gift of Bryna Freyer
- Medium
- Raffia
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 10.6 x 18.3 x 17.2 cm (4 3/16 x 7 3/16 x 6 3/4 in.)
- Type
- Textile and Fiber Arts
