Old Elaborate Large Kirdi Cache Sexe – PIKURAN – Mandara Mountains, Cameroon

1960′. Iron, leather, glass and iron beads. Approx. cm. 22,5 high x cm. 17,1 width (11.22″); grams 377,7 (11.47 oz).

A cache-sexe, or pikuran, from the Kirdi people of Cameroon. The name of Kirdi – which in Arabic means non-Muslim – is attributed to the many ethnic groups, animist, of Sudanese origin, who live in the northern Cameroon: Mafa, Massa, Kapsikì, Mundang …

These were worn for celebrations, rituals and rites of passage by women who had reached puberty for protection against the evil eye and also to attract attention. On the occasion of the dances for the harvest, these unusual objects were tied in most exemplary hanging from a belt worn by women. After a day of celebration and libations, these belts were intended of keep away the more enterprising males. The government of Cameroon since 1961, has outlawed the use of cache sexe, but the practice continues under cover of robes.

These cache-sexe also served as jewellery.

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