Known as Pikuran, (or Cache-Sexe in french), this beautiful iron loin apron would have been worn by a young Kirdi tribal woman after reaching puberty.
The purpose was two-fold, these aprons had a protective quality against the evil eye, and were also decorative,- both covering and drawing attention to the pubic area at the same time. In the few photos i’ve seen they have been worn by young women in the prime of their youth. The term Kirdi is used for a collection of tribal groups living in the mounatain and hill regions around the borders of Camaroon, Nigeria, and Chad. These groups had fiercely resisted attempts to convert them to either Islam or Christianity, instead maintaining a faith that includes their own god and ancestor veneration. Some sources state that it was their refusal to be converted that drove them to move higher into the remote Mandara mountains where they still live today. Kirdi has sometimes been thought of a pejorative term because it means pagan. It’s hard to accurately date these Pikuran, but ive seen very similar pieces identified as early to mid 20th century which feels about right to me.
This piece has such a lovely weight and balance to it, it’s hard to describe but it just feels good to hold and it hangs beautifully. Every element has been carefully hand beaten and shaped. – So very elegant.
