Beaded dance cap

This densely beaded cap was a crowning element among an array of regalia performed at Mafa dance ceremonies. Those ensembles included iron knives, bead-covered skirts, and elaborate belts, which might be adorned with cowrie shells, buttons, brass elements, and animal fur. In this example, the concentric rows of red, yellow, black, and white beads form a vibrant visual backdrop to prominent trade items in the form of cowrie shells and buttons. Imported from the Indian ocean, cowrie shells were historically used as currency and thus signaled wealth and authority. In performance, the cap’s saturated colors and textural richness would have amplified the dancer’s movements, reinforcing both aesthetic appeal and the social messages embedded in the attire.


The Mafa, also known as Matakam, are a Chadic-speaking people residing in the Mandara Mountains in northern Cameroon, historically grouped under the exonym “Kirdi” for various non-Islamic communities in the region. Their material culture is marked by the skilled use of small, portable, and often vividly ornamented objects that serve both aesthetic and social purposes. Beadwork in particular has long been a prominent art form, valued for its striking color combinations, labor-intensive production, and capacity to integrate imported and locally sourced materials. Within this tradition, beaded headwear is one of the most visible and enduring markers of identity, appearing in festive and ceremonial contexts and often incorporating complex patterns that carry social and symbolic weight.