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The ceremonial headgear of the Konkomba people is made of squash and deco-
rated with horns, cowrie shells and glass pendants. Cowries, a type of sea snail,
were used as currency in parts of Africa up until the early 20th century. Young
boys would decorate their battle gear with cowries for initiation rituals, in a
display of wealth and to send a message to the girls that they were ready for
marriage. In battle, cowries were used as amulets allegedly shielding the war-
riors from harm.
Togo, 20th century, from the Anton Codelli Collection at the Slovene Ethnograp-
hic Museum. Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
CODELLI'S AFRICAN
COLLECTION
Codelli was utterly fascinated by Africa and
he decorated his study in his Ljubljana mansion
with artefacts that he had brought back from
Togo. His African collection is now kept by the
Slovene Ethnographic Museum. 
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