Shrunken Head

By Crusader1307

 Perhaps no one image is as easily recognized as The ''Shrunken Head''. ''Replicas'' (mostly cloth or rubber), were a popular ''back of Magazine'' sale to many children on the 1960s and 1970s. In reality, Shrunken Human Heads did exist as a ''War or Revenge'' Trophy, found in several South American ''Primitive'' Tribal Cultures (The Amazon River Basin having the most amount). While most associate a Shrunken Head with a small ''grapefruit''-sized ''piece'' – in reality, most ''Heads'' were roughly 1 to 2-times smaller that a ''normal'' Human Skull. Once ''taken'' (removed), an incision was made behind the neck (ear), with the removal of the complete ''skin'' by a method known as ''peeling''. In essence, a ''mask'' is created from the removed ''face''. Cleaned by boiling in water mixed with selected botanicals (which vary depending on Tribe). The Nose, eyes, ears and mouth are sewn (sealed) shut. Next in the grisly affair, heated rocks are then placed inside and the ''face'' is placed inside a ''smoker'' (tent). This dries up the flesh, causing it to shrink. However, prior to the finished ''product'' (normally after several hours), the ''face'' is removed – with sand (stuffing), poured in (often slightly wet).

The ''smoking/drying'' process is then ''repeated'' until the ''face'' (now beginning to retain the shape created by molding the wet sand), becomes what Westerners would identify a ''Shrunken Head''. In cases were hair survived the ''process'', it would be washed, braided or styled with beads and charms. In cases were hair did NOT survive the process, some would be added (wig). Normally, The Head was displayed with great pride by a Warrior (and often passed down to other Family Members). In some case, the ''Head'' was ''sent back'' to The Enemy Tribe – as a ''gloat''. Head were taken by some Tribes in War or to satisfy an ''Honor Killing'' for a perceived ''slight''. Widely sold and collected in 19th Century Europe (and often misidentified as being from Africa, new Zealand and Australia (Regions that did NOT practice ''The Craft''), to include outright banning the sale or possession in some Countries. Many examples found in Museums throughout The World are NOT actual examples.