Organic Ceremonial Ornaments
A large proportion of the Burmese material at Exeter is associated with the various
tribes of Burma. One element that has arisen out of this research is a unique collection
of ceremonial ornaments. This includes ritualistic dance hats, and associated
paraphernalia sourced by William Ninnis Porter who served as Police Commissioner
in Burma during the late 1800’s. The cultural fluidity and exchange that existed
amongst the tribes of Burma, and Nagaland (India), presents an interesting array of
artefacts that share common influences. The Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford and the
Museum of Ethnology/Anthropology, Marischal College, Aberdeen University, both
have substantial Naga collections. However, as highlighted by Jamie Saul an expert in
this field ‘ there does not seem to be much Burmese Naga Stuff in the UK or even in
the continent, as Burma never really received the sort of attention that India did
regarding the Naga areas’ (Pers. Comm. 2005). As little research has been carried out
into the Naga of Burma so one continually looks to the Naga of Nagaland for cultural
similarities and direction. However, until more research is completed, this comparison
should be noted with caution. As noted by Julian Jacobs ‘Over the Naga area as a
whole there is considerable diversity, but the impression is given of ‘variations on a
theme’ (1998:103).
The ceremonial ornaments have been listed below:
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Dance Hats, Accession numbers: 35.1907/ 30.1907 / 31.1907 / 34.1907
Armlets, Accession number: 33.1907
Hip Basket, Accession number: 43.1907
35.1907 – Dance Hat
This dance hat is made of red plaited cane, decorated with two metal discs. The rim of
the helmet is trimmed with four red strips of bright red cane. This hat was collected
by William Ninnis Porter and can be dated to the late 1800’s, though the exact
provenance is unknown. Documentary evidence indicates that it was certainly of the
type worn in the animistic ritual of the Manau festival, which is the most strongly
associated ritual amongst the Jinghpaw communities of the Kachin State.
Photographic evidence taken by J.H. Green and documented in ‘Burma Frontier
Photographs’ show examples of the ritualistic dance hat being worn by the ‘Nung
Naushawng’ (dance leaders) – photos 1246, and 1018, (Dell 2000: 110/113). As noted
by Green in 1934, ‘The Dumas and elders on ceremonial occasions wear red plaited
cane helmets which are almost identical with some Naga helmets’. It is here that one
observes the cross-cultural influences between the Naga of Nagaland, India, and the
Northern and bordering tribes of Burma.
32.1907 – Dance Hat
This hat is made of red plaited cane, decorated with goat’s hair and feathers. This hat
was collected by William Ninnis Porter and can be dated to the late 1800’s. The
provenance of the hat is unknown, and an exact replica of this type of hat has not yet
been found. However, similarities are seen in the dance helmets worn by the ‘Nung
Naushawngs’ of Kachin State, whilst carrying out the animistic ritual of the Manau
festival (Dell 2000: 110/113).
30.1907, 31.1907, 34.1907 – Dance Hats
These dance hats have been grouped together because they are fundamentally all of
the same type with minute variations in decoration if applicable. These hats are
composed of red plaited cane woven to form a conical shape. On each hat is a strap
originating from the top to secure the hat under the chin. All the hats were donated by
William Ninnis Porter and can be dated to the late 1800’s, if not earlier, however, the
exact provenance is unknown. Images of these hats have been looked at by Jamie Saul
who recently wrote a book called the ‘Nagas in Burma’. He suggested that ‘the heavy
cane work hats are also Tangkhul and form the base for the wonderfully decorated
hats they wore for ceremonies’ (Pers. Comm. 2006). However, if plain they could
have been worn for war. Hat 30.1907 has remains of animal hide decoration used to
cover the strap situated on top of the hat. Hat 34.1907 is decorated with two plumes of
red hair, which is likely to be dyed goat’s hair. Examples of different forms of Naga
decoration can be seen in ‘The Nagas, Hill Peoples of Northeast India’ (Jacobs 1998:
222-227).
33.1907 – Armlet
This armlet is made of red plaited woven cane. It is decorated with an attachment of
thick long black goat’s hair. The armlet was collected by William Ninnis Porter and
can be dated to the late 1800’s. Although the exact provenance is unknown, Jamie
Saul notes ‘that the object is the armlet of a Tangkhul warrior and was confined to
warriors. The black hair usually came from a female victim’ (Pers. Comm. 2006). A
clear example has also been documented in ‘The Nagas, Hill Peoples of Northeast
India’ (Jacobs 1998:270). Examples of how the armlets are worn in Naga ceremonial
regalia can also be seen in ‘The Nagas, Hill Peoples of Northeast India’ (Jacobs
1998:143).
43.1907 – Hip Basket
This is a hip basket worn for ceremonial occasions. The basket is made of woven cane
and decorated with lengths of black and dyed red goat’s hair. There are also two
lengths of hair(?) the ends of which are sealed to be used for attachment to the carrier.
The basket is worn by men and is used for carrying either darts or ‘panjis’, which are
sharpened bamboo spikes stuck in the ground to impede the enemy (Jacobs
1998:238). The basket was collected by William Ninnis Porter and dates to late
1800’s. Although the exact provenance is unknown, one of the original museum
labels suggests that the object originates from the Chin tribes, in Upper Burma.
Conclusion
The artefacts collated in the Ceremonial Ornamentation category make up a
significant educationally valuable collection. All the artefacts can be dated to the late
1800’s. With further research it may be possible to determine where Porter was
located in Burma. Jamie Saul is completing another research trip to Burma and the
Tangkhul in March 2006, and has offered to clarify whether the thick red plaited hats
are of that region.
The collection is significant in that it represents a minority tribe in Burma that shares
some cultural affinity with Nagaland and yet is little understood. Although there are
significant Naga collections in Aberdeen and Oxford, as previously stated by Saul,
few if any museums have artefacts belonging to the Naga of Burma. This is a new and
exciting area, and the RAMM have something to offer with regard to research and
progress in this area. The hats belonging to the RAMM are in excellent condition, and
will be a useful asset to any forthcoming research that occurs in the future.