Tribal hat with seeds buttons & hornbill - Lega , D.R. Congo

The Lega live in the rain forests of the eastern Congo region.  They comprise numerous subgroups that are collectively linked through Bwami, an adult association that serves as the political, social, economic, religious and moral authority of Lega society. Bwami is divided into a hierarchy of five grades for men and three for women. 

Animals are important in Bwami symbolism, and elephant, pangolin, and hornbill all represent different levels of Bwami. Lega hats such as this reveal status among the Bwami secret society which governs most of Lega life.