Friday 11 January 2008

'inhoko' unravelled?

The mystery of the 'inhoko' is that the woman's hair is carefully braided and extended then the globular arrangement is established. Finally the supporting bands circle the stem of the enormous bulb. As the womans hair grows another band is added to support and incorporate the new growth.
Any curls which grow free of the arrangement are plucked out hence the hairless area above the forehead.
It would give its owner an amazingly strong neck for life.
I am wondering if it is also used to contain small treasures.
The wearing of beanies by many of the Australian desert women is both for comfort and a place to store money.
NMS.

1 comment:

Kevin Murray said...

An amazing fact, Nalda. How did you find out about it?