This wooden headrest was made and used by the Dinka people of South Sudan. Carved from a single piece of wood, it features a curved top and sturdy base, designed to support the head while sleeping and to preserve elaborate hairstyles. The hooked ends and elevated seat are typical of Dinka headrests, which also function as portable stools.
 
Headrests like this are important daily-use objects in Dinka society, especially among men. Beyond comfort, they serve practical and symbolic roles, including as markers of age, status, and identity.
 
The Dinka are a Nilotic ethnic group primarily based in South Sudan. They are pastoralists who rely heavily on cattle, which play a central role in their economy, culture, and social life. Objects like this headrest reflect the Dinka way of life, emphasizing mobility, resourcefulness, and the deep cultural connection between daily objects and personal identity.