Mursi or Mé en headrest from Ethiopia

Headrests are used by many nomadic people of Eastern Africa while resting or sleeping. It is popularly believed that the headrest serves a
protective function by elevating the head off the ground during sleep, thereby preventing any possible attack by snakes or scorpions.

Ethiopia is the oldest independent nation of Africa, and is home to a myriad of peoples with over 80 different spoken languages. Ethiopian men
generally use these headrest for sleeping and to keep their elaborate coiffures off the ground. This piece is beautifully engraved with geometric
markings and inlaid metal decorations and is worn smooth with age.
A wonderful headrest beautifully decorated with metal adornment and incisings with an old worn patina from the Mursi or  Mé en people of Ethiopia
8" tall