Prestige cap

The Kuba kingdom in south-central Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged in the seventeenth century as a confederation of chiefdoms and became renowned for artistic invention tied to political life. Titles at court were awarded rather than inherited, which fostered competition and a rich language of status display. Small raffia caps known broadly as laket (also laketa or luketa) functioned as visible markers of identity and rank. Men received a laket mishiing (literally ‘stringed hat’) at the completion of initiation into adulthood, and progressively more elaborate caps accompanied subsequent honors and titles. Cowrie-covered versions like this example belonged to higher titleholders. Although primarily associated with male office-holders, some conical or scalloped laket were also worn by female dignitaries. The caps were typically worn high on the crown and secured with a long pin through the cap and coiffure.