Old Fine Kirdi Leather Cache Sexe – PIKURAN – Cameroon

1960′. Leather, glass beads, iron beads. Approx. cm. 20,7 high x cm. 17,4 width (8.15″ x 6.85”); grams 172,2 (6.07 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. The government of Cameroon since 1961, has outlawed the use of cache sexe, but the practice continues under cover of robes.

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