TROPHY SKULLS DAYAK TRIBAL ARTIFACTS DAVID HOWARD TRIBAL ART TROPHY SKULLS DAYAK TRIBAL ARTIFACTS

In Myanmar (Burma) several groups followed customs similar to those
of the headhunting tribes of India. The Wa people observed a definite
headhunting season, when the fertilizing soul matter was required
for the growing crop, and wayfarers moved about at their peril.
In Borneo, most of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Taiwan, similar
methods of headhunting were practiced. The practice was reported
in the Philippines by Martín de Rada in 1577 and was abandoned
formally by the Igorot and Kalinga peoples of Luzon only at the
beginning of the 20th century. In Indonesia it extended through
Ceram, where the Alfurs were headhunters, and to New Guinea,
where headhunting was practiced by the Motu. In several areas
of Indonesia, as in the Batak country and in the Tanimbar
Islands, it seems to have been replaced by cannibalism.

Throughout Oceania headhunting tended to be obscured by cannibalism, but in many islands the importance attached to the head was unmistakable. In parts of Micronesia the head of the slain enemy was paraded about with dancing, which served as an excuse for raising a fee for the chief to defray public expenditure; later the head would be lent to another chief for the same purpose. In Melanesia the head was often mummified and sometimes worn as a mask in order that the wearer might acquire the soul of the dead man. Similarly, it was reported that Aboriginal Australians believed that the spirit of a slain enemy entered the slayer. In New Zealand the heads of enemies were dried and preserved so that tattoo marks and the facial features were recognizable; this practice led to a development of headhunting when tattooed heads became desirable curios
and the demand in Europe for Maori trophies caused “pickled heads”
to become a regular article of ships’ manifests.

Headhunting was practiced in historic times in parts of Oceania,
South and Southeast Asia, West and Central Africa, and Mesoamerica,
as well as among certain tribes of the Celts, the West Germanic peoples,
the Norse and Scythians of ancient Europe. It occurred in Europe
until the early 20th century in the Balkan Peninsula and to the end
of the Middle Ages in Ireland and the Anglo-Scottish border regions.

The Dayak, from Borneo Island Indonesia, are feared for their ancient
tradition of headhunting practices. Among the Iban Dayak,
the origin of headhunting was believed to be one
of the mourning rules given to them by a spirit.

The Dayak believe in a "sacred jar," which is only to be opened by Dayak
warriors, who have obtained a human head, or can present a human head,
which was acquired in a fight; or by a warrior who has
returned from a sojourn into enemy territory.

As a practice, headhunting has been the subject of intense
discussion within the anthropological community as to its
possible social roles, functions, and motivations. Themes that
arise in anthropological writings about headhunting include
mortification of the rival, ritual violence, cosmological balance,
the display of manhood, cannibalism, prestige, and as a means
of securing the services of the victim as a slave in the afterlife.
Contemporary scholars generally agree that its primary function
was ceremonial and that it was part of the process of structuring,
reinforcing, and defending hierarchical relationships between
communities and individuals. Some experts theorize that the practice
stemmed from the belief that the head contained "soul matter"
or life force, which could be harnessed through its capture.

The Iban Dayak's "Ngayau" ritual

headhunting rules specify; the first time a warrior takes a head or
captures a prisoner, he must present that head or captive
to his superior to acknowledge his leadership.

In addition, the Dayak Ngayau headhunting regulations dictate;
if a warrior takes two heads or captives, one must be given to
his leader; the other is kept by the worrier
responsible for the kill or capture.

The Asmat Tribe, from Irian Jaya Indonesia on the other hand,
collect and worship ancestor skulls to remember their deceased family members.
Each Asmat sub group decorate their skulls differently. The Asmat usually use
feathers, seeds and carved sea shell nose rings to decorate their skulls.

THE IFUGAO TRIBE, FROM THE PHILIPPINES, PLACE HEADHUNTED
HUMAN TROPHY SKULLS OUTSIDE THEIR HUTS, AS WELL AS,
MOUNT THEM OVER THEIR HEARTHS INSIDE THEIR HOMES.

THE DAYAK, IFUGAO, AND NAGA HUMAN SKULLS ARE HEAD HUNTING TROPHIES.
THE ASMAT, VANUATU, AND PALAWAN HUMAN SKULLS ARE ALSO CONSIDERED
"ANCESTOR" SKULLS. THE DIFFERENCE IS; HEAD HUNTED SKULLS
ARE ACQUIRED FROM ENEMY VICTIMS!

ANCESTOR SKULLS ARE COLLECTED AND VENERATED TO REMEMBER
DECEASED FAMILY MEMBERS. THE IFUGAO COLLECT BONES OF DEAD
RELATIVES; WRAP THEM IN TRIBAL TEXTILES, AND STORE THEM IN THE
RAFTERS UNDER THEIR HUTS. HUMAN SKULLS AND SKULL CAPS FROM
NEPAL ARE RITUAL OFFERTORY VESSELS THAT ARE USED AS
DRINKING CUPS IN TIBETAN BUDDHIST CEREMONIES.