This carved wooden headrest, known as a Jile (or Jilee), originates from the Jile Oromo people of central Ethiopia. Designed as a portable pillow, headrests like this were used to elevate the head during rest, helping preserve carefully arranged hairstyles while allowing air to circulate in warm climates.
 
This example is distinguished by its double-rest form, featuring two curved upper supports joined by a continuous base. The architectural structure provides balance and stability while maintaining a compact, transportable shape. Carved from a single block of wood, the surface shows signs of long-term use, with a darkened patina and softened edges that reflect handling over time.
 
The Jile Oromo are a subgroup of the larger Oromo people, Ethiopia’s most populous ethnic group, primarily living in the Oromia region. Historically semi-pastoral, the Jile maintained strong traditions connected to cattle herding, social organization, and utilitarian wood carving. Headrests were essential personal objects, often owned and used by men throughout adulthood, serving as markers of identity and daily life rather than ceremonial display.
 
Today, Jile headrests are valued for their clarity of form and cultural context. This double headrest stands as both a functional object and a sculptural work, offering insight into how design, utility, and lived experience intersected within Oromo material culture.