The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of December 13, 2025
Wig (uyembe matota, wiyembe, or pulumba)
early to mid 1900s
Overall: 12.7 x 24.8 x 27.3 cm (5 x 9 3/4 x 10 3/4 in.)
Location: Not on view
Description
Among the Chokwe, hats, diadems, and wigs of all sorts made in a variety of materials were once commonly worn by both men and women. Some were exclusive to religious and political titles. This wig imitates a female hairstyle in vogue until the 1960s. Made by a male craftsman, it was most typically worn by a woman at dances and other public festivals.- Petridis, Constantine. "New Acquisitions of African Art at the Cleveland Museum of Art". African Arts (44) No. 1, Spring 2011. Pg. 63, Fig. 10
- {{cite web|title=Wig (uyembe matota, wiyembe, or pulumba)|url=false|author=|year=early to mid 1900s|access-date=13 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2007.1