Baule Fly Whisk

This Baule fly whisk was purchased by former Lam Museum curator Beverlye Hancock during a trip to the Ivory Coast in 1997. The fly whisk is a traditional symbol of authority that reflects both the power and wealth of its bearer. It is typically carried […]


Comanche Deer Hide Robe

This Comanche deer hide robe is from the mid-1800s and would have been worn by a young girl. Robes like this one were worn as a coat and used as an additional layer in cooler weather.  In winter, heavier hides with the animal hair still attached would […]


Mexican Milagros

Small metal charms known as milagros are used throughout Latin America to symbolize prayers. They are pinned to crosses, statues of religious figures, and altars to petition for help and protection. They can also represent thanks for an answered prayer. Some people carry milagros with […]


Ndebele Woman’s Apron

This married woman’s apron, known as itjorholo, is from the Southern Ndebele people, who are part of the Bantu ethnolinguistic group. The Southern Ndebele live primarily in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces in northeast South Africa. Ndebele women and girls wear a series of different […]


Tuareg Ehel Tent Post

The Tuareg are a seminomadic people who live in the Saharan region of North Africa, including Niger, Mali, Algeria, Libya, and Burkina Faso. This ehel tent post is from Mali. Traditionally, the Tuareg live in tents known as ehen. The tents are made from goat […]


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