Somalian Head Rest

myminifactory

Men in East Africa proudly use their headrests as symbols of status and comfort. Used by the Boni of northeastern Kenya and southern Somalia, these men's headrests feature a smaller base that makes them somewhat unstable to sleep on. In contrast, women's headrests have rectangular bases that are more stable. The small, easily unbalanced base has made the headrest an emblem of alertness and the ability to quickly respond to action. Made from sturdy but relatively light wood, these versatile headrests are used in beds and carried by herdsmen who need a quick rest while keeping watch over their herds. Boni shepherds take naps with one leg lifted off the ground, using the headrest as a neck support on their shoulder. This unique way of resting symbolizes vigilance because anyone trying to sleep would have to stay awake to avoid falling over. The intricate patterns found on Somali and Boni headrests reflect the region's Islamic influence. Scholars believe these designs serve as a "form of shorthand for a prayer," asking God to protect the sleeper. Headrests play a significant role in the wedding ceremonies of Somali nomads. On their wedding night, grooms place a sum of money under the bride's headrest, which she can use to purchase an amber necklace the next morning, symbolizing her new status as a married woman. These beautiful headrests are carefully crafted from fine-grained wood known as hagar or yucub wood. They may be left unpainted or painted red or black by their owners. Somali and Boni nomads use two distinct types of headrests: one with a single supporting column and another with double columns. The different styles appear to indicate the owner's status, with younger men using the single-columned variety and elders reserving the more elaborate double-columned variety for themselves.