Shrunken head

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Example of a Shrunken Head

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Material	Human skin and hair
Size	Typically around the size of a fist
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A shrunken head is a severed and specially prepared human head that was traditionally made by the Jivaroan peoples of the Amazon rainforests, located in what is now Ecuador and Peru. The process of creating a shrunken head, known as tsantsa, was believed to harness the spirit of the defeated enemy and compel it to serve the victor, acting as a deterrent to enemy tribes.

History

The practice of head shrinking was primarily a ritual among the Jivaroan tribes, which include the Shuar, Achuar, Huambisa, and Aguaruna tribes. It was not merely a war trophy but carried deep spiritual and cultural significance. The ritual was believed to prevent the soul of the vanquished from avenging his death. This practice has been documented to have occurred until the mid-20th century but has since ceased.

Process

The process of making a shrunken head is elaborate. First, the head of the enemy was severed and the skin was removed from the skull. Small incisions were then made on the back of the head, and the skin was peeled off the skull. The skull was discarded, and the skin was boiled in water infused with certain herbs containing tannins, which helped in the shrinking process. After boiling, the skin was dried with hot rocks and sand, allowing it to shrink further. The lips were sewn shut, and the head was often decorated with beads.

Cultural Significance

For the Jivaroan peoples, the shrunken head was not only a war trophy but also a vital spiritual object. It was believed to house the spirit of the enemy, which could be controlled or used by the head's possessor. The process of shrinking the head was also thought to prevent the soul from escaping and seeking revenge.

Modern Times

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the demand for shrunken heads by collectors and tourists led to the commercialization of the practice, with many heads being fabricated from sloths or other small mammals. This commercialization, along with increased contact with Westerners, contributed to the decline of the tradition among the Jivaroan peoples.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Today, the trade in genuine shrunken heads is illegal in many countries due to concerns over grave robbing and the desecration of corpses. Museums that possess shrunken heads often face ethical dilemmas regarding their display, with some choosing to repatriate the artifacts to their countries of origin.

In Popular Culture

Shrunken heads have been featured in numerous films, television shows, and books, often portrayed as exotic or mystical objects. This portrayal, however, tends to overlook the deep cultural and spiritual significance these objects hold for the Jivaroan peoples.

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