Bamileke Ashetu or Ceremonial Hat

The head, in Cameroon, is where honor lives. Dress it accordingly.

The ashetu is a ceremonial hat, here by the Bamileke, 20th century. Men of standing wore such hats on ceremonial occasions. The cap is worked closely in fiber, its crown striped in alternating bands of tan and dark brown. Below, small looped tufts stand out from the body in rings and spikes, a lively, shaggy texture in the same two tones.

It holds its shape on a stand. Which is more than most hats can say.