Helmet; aluminum; cap with slight self-brim in back; painted half red, half black; one red, one black painted wood horns attached with screws to cap; peaked aluminum coronet with two painted, crossed tridents in red and black, attached with rivets; red plastic chin strap with metal buckle attached with rivets; label glued to inside of cap, 3 x 2 cm; diameter 17.5 cm; length of horns 10 cm; height of coronet 10 cm.
Donor:
Daryl P. Domning and University Appropriation
Collection place:
Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil
Verbatim coll. place:
Brazil
Culture or time period:
Afro-Brazilian
Collector:
Daryl P. Domning
Collection date:
April 1978
Materials:
Aluminum (metal)
Object type:
ethnography
Function:
5.2 Magic: Objects Associated with Practices reflecting confidence in the ability to manipulate supernatural agencies
Context of use:
Used in Umbanda, one of the Afro-Brazilian possession cults. The red and black crossed tridents on the coronet represent Exu (Eshu), a mischevious spirit of Yoruba origin. The helmet is worn during the Umbanda ceremonies.