Naga Helmet

India

Mid-20th century

Cane, dyed goat hair, boar tusks 

In the past, Naga warriors earned the right to wear hats and other forms of personal adornment through their participation in headhunting raids. Ornaments such as boar tusks, fur, shells, feathers, or teeth were not only decorative but possessed powers in their own right, elevating the status of the wearer. The helmets are used today in dance ceremonies and for ritual purposes. Once a common practice, taking the head of an enemy was a transformative action, bestowing power and fertility upon the warrior and bringing benefits for the community.