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Moments from this week
A traditional wooden neckrest from Ethiopia
Here is the English translation of the information about the Ethiopian neckrest:
A traditional wooden neckrest from Ethiopia, locally known as a burkano (or sometimes borkotta / berkota depending on the region), is a fascinating piece of African art and functional utility. This specific style originates from the Kambaata (Kembata) and Hadiya peoples, who live in the central-southern highlands of Ethiopia and are closely related to the neighboring Gurage culture.
1. Function: More Than Just a ‘Pillow’
While Westerners often view it as a wooden pillow, it primarily serves as a neckrest.
- Protection of Hairstyles: Both men and women frequently wore complex, ceremonial hairstyles braided with butter, clay, or beads. Creating these took hours of meticulous work. By supporting the neck instead of the head, the hairstyle remained suspended and was not damaged or flattened during sleep.
- Outdoor Practicality: In the warm, dusty outdoor environment, the rest kept the head off the ground. This provided protection against insects, scorpions, or snakes. Additionally, larger models sometimes functioned as a small, portable stool to sit on during the day.
2. Characteristic Design of the Kambaata & Hadiya
Ethiopia is home to more than 80 ethnic groups, and nearly every group has its own unique design for neckrests. The burkano of the Kambaata and Hadiya is distinguished by specific features:
- The Platform: The top has an elegant, slightly concave crescent shape that fits precisely under the jawline or at the base of the neck. The ends often taper outwards.
- Openwork Support: Unlike the solid, cone-shaped bases seen in Oromo neckrests, the Kambaata/Hadiya variant often rests on an open central support with vertical pillars. You frequently see a flat central support with geometric, rectangular cut-outs or windows.
- Geometric Carvings: The objects are carved from a single piece of indigenous hardwood. The base and supports are richly decorated with fine, hand-incised geometric patterns, such as cross-hatching, parallel lines, and herringbone motifs.
- Patina: Authentic, old pieces feature a deep, reddish-brown to dark luster (patina). This sheen developed through intensive use, as oils and fats from the hair and skin soaked into the wood over many years.
3. Spiritual and Personal Value
The burkano was a highly intimate and personal possession. People carried the rest everywhere with them using a leather strap. The object was seen as an extension of the owner’s identity and status; the complexity of the carving often reflected their rank within the community.
Within the culture, it was believed that the neckrest was connected to the spiritual world and could induce dreams. Because of this strong personal bond, upon the owner’s death, they were often buried together with their burkano, or the object was passed down to a direct heir with great respect, as it was believed the spirit of the deceased partly lived on within it.
Today, these early- to mid-20th-century burkanos are highly sought after by tribal art collectors for their minimalist and sculptural aesthetics.
Would you like some tips on how to determine if your specific piece is an authentic antique or a modern replica? I can explain what visual details and wear patterns to look for.
Quest For Perfume
