Lower Leg Adornment (Hayabung)

This characteristic leg ornament of the Negritos was worn by men below the knee. This piece, collected in the Sierra Mariveles, consists of an approximately 330 cm long cord of twisted rattan fiber, intertwined with densely strung, dark colored pig's bristles of 9 cm length. The cord is coiled in 11 loopings; both ends are not covered with bristles to allow for fastening. Supposedly wearing such adornment was a sign of bravery. Furthermore, it was said to bear magical powers, conferring protection against harm to the wearer (Lebar 1975: 27). (Ursula Brandl-Straka 2009: 45)

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