Turkana Headrest

Carved bone, braided leather cord

Among Turkana pastoral communities, headrests are personal objects carried during travel and used while resting or sleeping outdoors. The elevated form protects carefully styled hair and shields the head from dust or insects while sleeping on the ground. The attached leather strap allowed the object to be easily carried or tied to belongings, reflecting the highly mobile lifestyle of Turkana nomadic herders whose culture is deeply connected to livestock, desert landscapes, and seasonal migration.

Hand-carved from a single piece of Bone the headrest is shaped with a gently curved support and a sturdy central base for stability. The smooth surface develops through polishing and repeated handling. The braided leather cord is traditionally hand-twisted and threaded through the bone, serving both practical and decorative purposes.