Cameroon’s largest ethnic group, the Bamileke, numbers over three million people who live predominantly in the country’s western highlands. For hundreds of years, Bamileke tribes have made feather “Tyn” or “Juju” hats for their chiefs, royal families and dignitaries to wear during ceremonies.
Bamileke culture is deeply intertwined with nature, and feathers — especially from rare birds like the African grey parrot — are highly valued for their symbolic and spiritual significance. Feather headdresses serve as conduits between the physical and spiritual realms, transforming the wearer from a person into a vessel through which ancestors can communicate with the living. When worn during ceremonies and rituals, a headdress can symbolize the transition into a new phase of life and the wearer’s connection to their ancestral lineage. When an elder dies, their hat is passed to the next in line, along with inherited wealth and social standing.
This striking feather headdress from The Textile Museum Collection was made by master weavers in rural Cameroon. It was produced during the dry season so that the raffia grass and feathers could dry before assembly. The raffia base is always woven first to create a strong backing for wooden slats, which form a circular platform. The cured and dyed feathers are fitted one at a time. The delicate hat folds into itself for easy storage and transport.
Researched by Sandra Hoexter
Sandra Hoexter has been a docent with the museum since 2004 after retiring from a career as a federal software engineer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Foreign Agricultural Service.