AUTHENTIC HEADHUNTING TROPHY SKULL DAVID HOWARD TRIBAL ART AUTHENTIC HEADHUNTING TROPHY SKULL

Given this fascination with headhunting practices,
it is hardly surprising that artifacts collected from head taking
tribes are particularly desirable to collectors around the world.
This fascination extends to the paraphernalia associated with taking heads,
either to do with the act itself or to denote the status of warriors and their
families within the head hunting community. In tribal societies ornaments
can symbolize valorous deeds, social status, wealth, and clan identification.
Such artifacts include weapons, carved objects, weavings, headdresses
and jewelry, and sometimes the heads themselves.

The taking of heads was once far more widely practiced than it is today.
The spread of colonial rule in the 1800's and the unceasing vigilance
of Christian missionaries resulted in a great reduction of head taking
peoples to a handful of tribes in South America, Burma, Assam in
India, Taiwan, the Philippines, highland Melanesia and Indonesia.

Many of the Philippine tribes engaged in head taking practices,
including the Bontoc (Illongots), Kalinga, Ifugoa and Ga'dung people
of Northern Luzon. They are hardy farmers and thousands of years
ago built incredible stone-walled rice terraces that now form one
of the seven man-made wonders of the world. They were also fierce
headhunters. The death of a fellow tribesman was avenged by taking
the head of a member of the killer's group, resulting in a vicious
circle of revenge and war that could last for years. In addition to
being a matter of honor, headhunting was regarded as a great
sport that all young warriors aspired to. The undertaking of an
expedition involved considerable ritual and the observance of
omens. Enemy villages were raided at dawn and a triumphant
result was followed by days of feasting and dancing. Successful
hunters were tattooed with special blue markings, but also took
a piece of the skull, usually the jawbone or the top of the
cranium, and fashioned it into a gong handle. These gongs
were then hung as status symbols of great importance
on the walls of the warrior's homes.

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.