Lotuko helmet
Other views of this artifact:
Accession Number:
1940.7.092 .1
Country:
Sudan
Region:
[Southern Sudan] ?Bahr el Jebel Eastern Equatoria
Cultural Group:
Lotuko [Otuho]
Date Made:
By 1940
Materials:
Clay? , Brass Metal , Iron Metal , Plant Fibre , Human Hair , Ochre ?
Process:
Twisted , Basketry ? , Plated , Perforated
Dimensions:
Ht = 210, W= 242 x 183, base = 197 x 142; wall th = 15 mm [RTS 23/9/2005].
Weight:
> 1000 g
Local Name:
natuma natumu
Other Owners:
Samuel P. Powell
Field Collector:
Samuel P. Powell
PRM Source:
Samuel P. Powell
Acquired:
Loaned July 1940
Collected Date:
By 1940
Description:
Headdress or helmet, with pointed top and a small raised knob nearby, convex sides and lentoid-shaped section.
The body appears to be made out of twisted plant fibre cords mixed with red clay or ochre used as a binding agent (Pantone 483C).
At the top of the interior, there are short lengths of curly black human hair woven in with a more obvious mass of this cordage; this hair is also visible in the matrix on the outer surface, suggesting that the original base of the helmet may have been a mass of human hair, grown to shape and then shaved off, as was traditional.
The surfaces may then have been smeared with further clay.
On one side of the helmet exterior, the upper part has been left plain. A triangular slot has been cut near the centre of the base of this section, that was probably the seating for brass mounted ostrich feather tuft 1940.7.092.4. The curved top of the helmet has a sharp ridge on one side, a raised basketry knob, then a more flattened ridge running down the other side. There is a large hole at the centre of this, which would have been used to hold feathered plume 1940.7.092.2, and a lentoid-shaped hole which may have been used for the end of the ostrich feather ball, 1940.7.092.3, then a series of iron studs with hemispherical heads running down the other side; these may be 'tinned' as they have a very silvery surface colour (Pantone 877C). There are currently 5 of these studs surviving, with holes for at least 2 more. On the other sloping side of this upper part of the helmet, the surface has been almost completely covered with a series of circular, flat-headed brass studs. There are currently 23 of these in place, and spaces for at least 2 more.
Below this, the body has been decorated with 8 rectangular brass plates, their top edges bent over slightly and pushed into the body beneath; some also have one or more holes along the top edge, although they do not seem to have any type of studs fastening them in place. Their lower edges have been folded over the brim of the helmet and up against the inside edge. They are currently a metallic yellow colour (Pantone 871C).
The helmet is nearly complete, missing only a few of its applied decorative elements. Two of the brass sheets are slightly detached from the surface, and there are a few dents in the helmet body, suggesting that it had seem some use. It has a weight in excess of 1000 grams, and is 210 mm high, with a maximum diameter of 242 by 183 mm; the base measures 197 by 142 mm across, and the walls have a thickness of 15 mm.
This object was collected by Samuel P. Powell in the Southern Sudan, and given on loan to the Pitt Rivers Museum in 1940. It came from a province that was known at the time as 'Equatoria'; this now makes up the modern administrative districts of Western Equatoria, Bahr el Jebel, and Eastern Equatoria. The Lotuko appear to be associated with the area around Torit, suggesting a provenance for this object in either Bahr el Jebel or Eastern Equatoria.
Powell recorded the name of this helmet as natumu ; it belongs with decorative accessories 1940.7.092.2 (feathered plume), 1940.7.092.3 (a feathered ball) and 1940.7.092. 4 (a feather tuft).
An early prototype for the type of helmet is described by Samuel White Baker in his account of the Lotuko: " The Latookas wear most exquisite helmets, all of which are formed of their own hair … The thick, crisp wool is woven with fine twine, formed from the bark of a tree, until it presents a thick network of felt. As the hair grows through this matted substance it is subjected to the same process, until, in the course of years, a compact substance is formed like a strong felt, about an inch and a half thick, that has been trained into the shape of a helmet. A strong rim about two inches deep is formed by sewing it together with thread, and the front part of the helmet is protected by a piece of polished copper, while a piece of the same metal, shaped like the half of a bishop's mitre and about a foot in length, forms the crest. The framework of the helmet being at length completed, it must be perfected by an arrangement of beads, should the owner of the bead be sufficiently rich to indulge in the coveted distinction. The beads most in fashion are the red and the blue porcelain, about the size of small peas. These are sewn on the surface of the felt, and so beautifully arranged in sections of blue and red that the entire helmet appears to be formed of beads; and the handsome crest of polished copper surmounted by ostrich plumes gives a most dignified and martial appearance to this elaborate head-dress. No helmet is supposed to be complete without a row of cowrie-shells stitched around the rim so as to form a solid edge." (S.W. Baker, 1866, In the Heart of Africa; a shorter version of this also appears in J.G. Wood, The Natural History of Man Volume I, 1868, p. 505). The Lotuko helmet in most recent form began to be made in late 19th century, and was conferred on Lotuko warriors who had distinguished themselves in war (C. Spring 1993, African Arms and Armour, 119). Among the changes were the practice of cutting these helmets away from the head and used independently - which led to a new style of closely shaven hair, to allow these helmets to be fit better. The glass and cowrie bead elements were also abandoned, in favour of more brass plating (J. Mack, 1982, "Material Culture and Ethnic Identity in Southeastern Sudan, in J. Mack & P. Robertshaw (eds), Culture History in the Southern Sudan, 118, fig. 4, pl. II).
According to Mack, owning these helmets was considered a mark of esteem; a lesser version had a similar shape, but was simply coated with red ochre (Mack 1982, p. 118). In this case, we have an ochre coated example with the distinctive, high status ornamentation applied on top. One might wonder whether this represents the lesser type of helmet, upgraded by the addition of the metal and feather elements. For a photograph of this type of helmet taken by Major Powell-Cotton in 1933, complete with its attachments, see Spring 1993, fig. 115.
Rachael Sparks 23/9/2005.
On one side of the helmet exterior, the upper part has been left plain. A triangular slot has been cut near the centre of the base of this section, that was probably the seating for brass mounted ostrich feather tuft 1940.7.092.4. The curved top of the helmet has a sharp ridge on one side, a raised basketry knob, then a more flattened ridge running down the other side. There is a large hole at the centre of this, which would have been used to hold feathered plume 1940.7.092.2, and a lentoid-shaped hole which may have been used for the end of the ostrich feather ball, 1940.7.092.3, then a series of iron studs with hemispherical heads running down the other side; these may be 'tinned' as they have a very silvery surface colour (Pantone 877C). There are currently 5 of these studs surviving, with holes for at least 2 more. On the other sloping side of this upper part of the helmet, the surface has been almost completely covered with a series of circular, flat-headed brass studs. There are currently 23 of these in place, and spaces for at least 2 more.
Below this, the body has been decorated with 8 rectangular brass plates, their top edges bent over slightly and pushed into the body beneath; some also have one or more holes along the top edge, although they do not seem to have any type of studs fastening them in place. Their lower edges have been folded over the brim of the helmet and up against the inside edge. They are currently a metallic yellow colour (Pantone 871C).
The helmet is nearly complete, missing only a few of its applied decorative elements. Two of the brass sheets are slightly detached from the surface, and there are a few dents in the helmet body, suggesting that it had seem some use. It has a weight in excess of 1000 grams, and is 210 mm high, with a maximum diameter of 242 by 183 mm; the base measures 197 by 142 mm across, and the walls have a thickness of 15 mm.
This object was collected by Samuel P. Powell in the Southern Sudan, and given on loan to the Pitt Rivers Museum in 1940. It came from a province that was known at the time as 'Equatoria'; this now makes up the modern administrative districts of Western Equatoria, Bahr el Jebel, and Eastern Equatoria. The Lotuko appear to be associated with the area around Torit, suggesting a provenance for this object in either Bahr el Jebel or Eastern Equatoria.
Powell recorded the name of this helmet as natumu ; it belongs with decorative accessories 1940.7.092.2 (feathered plume), 1940.7.092.3 (a feathered ball) and 1940.7.092. 4 (a feather tuft).
An early prototype for the type of helmet is described by Samuel White Baker in his account of the Lotuko: " The Latookas wear most exquisite helmets, all of which are formed of their own hair … The thick, crisp wool is woven with fine twine, formed from the bark of a tree, until it presents a thick network of felt. As the hair grows through this matted substance it is subjected to the same process, until, in the course of years, a compact substance is formed like a strong felt, about an inch and a half thick, that has been trained into the shape of a helmet. A strong rim about two inches deep is formed by sewing it together with thread, and the front part of the helmet is protected by a piece of polished copper, while a piece of the same metal, shaped like the half of a bishop's mitre and about a foot in length, forms the crest. The framework of the helmet being at length completed, it must be perfected by an arrangement of beads, should the owner of the bead be sufficiently rich to indulge in the coveted distinction. The beads most in fashion are the red and the blue porcelain, about the size of small peas. These are sewn on the surface of the felt, and so beautifully arranged in sections of blue and red that the entire helmet appears to be formed of beads; and the handsome crest of polished copper surmounted by ostrich plumes gives a most dignified and martial appearance to this elaborate head-dress. No helmet is supposed to be complete without a row of cowrie-shells stitched around the rim so as to form a solid edge." (S.W. Baker, 1866, In the Heart of Africa; a shorter version of this also appears in J.G. Wood, The Natural History of Man Volume I, 1868, p. 505). The Lotuko helmet in most recent form began to be made in late 19th century, and was conferred on Lotuko warriors who had distinguished themselves in war (C. Spring 1993, African Arms and Armour, 119). Among the changes were the practice of cutting these helmets away from the head and used independently - which led to a new style of closely shaven hair, to allow these helmets to be fit better. The glass and cowrie bead elements were also abandoned, in favour of more brass plating (J. Mack, 1982, "Material Culture and Ethnic Identity in Southeastern Sudan, in J. Mack & P. Robertshaw (eds), Culture History in the Southern Sudan, 118, fig. 4, pl. II).
According to Mack, owning these helmets was considered a mark of esteem; a lesser version had a similar shape, but was simply coated with red ochre (Mack 1982, p. 118). In this case, we have an ochre coated example with the distinctive, high status ornamentation applied on top. One might wonder whether this represents the lesser type of helmet, upgraded by the addition of the metal and feather elements. For a photograph of this type of helmet taken by Major Powell-Cotton in 1933, complete with its attachments, see Spring 1993, fig. 115.
Rachael Sparks 23/9/2005.
Primary Documentation:
Accession Book Entry
[Loans II, p.
308] - ESTATE OF S.P.
POWELL, C/O N.H.
HASLAM, Esq.
Manager, Westminster Bank, Stony Stratford, Bucks.
Collected by himself.
Data from his labels and notes.
[p.
314] From the LATUKA tribe, EQUATORIAL PROVINCE ANGLO-EGYPTIAN SUDAN.
1940.7.092 (a)(b)(c)(d) (a) Helmet, (
natumu
) used for ceremonial occasions and dances.
Made of clay, covered with brass plates.
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the tribal catalogue card [RTS 26/5/2004].
Written on object - SUDAN, Latuka tr., helmet, with ornaments, S.P. Powell coll. loan. 1940.7.092 a .1 [near base, RTS 23/9/2005].
Related Documents File - Appears on undated typed list: "Latuka helmet, used for ceremonial occasions and dances. This is called Natumu. Made of clay, and covered with brass. Complete with all the decorations that go with it". List is annotated by hand on back: "List of Curios" and "Far from complete" [RTS 16/12/2003].
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the tribal catalogue card [RTS 26/5/2004].
Written on object - SUDAN, Latuka tr., helmet, with ornaments, S.P. Powell coll. loan. 1940.7.092 a .1 [near base, RTS 23/9/2005].
Related Documents File - Appears on undated typed list: "Latuka helmet, used for ceremonial occasions and dances. This is called Natumu. Made of clay, and covered with brass. Complete with all the decorations that go with it". List is annotated by hand on back: "List of Curios" and "Far from complete" [RTS 16/12/2003].
