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JUJU HATS


Traditionally the Juju hat, Bamiléké feather headdress or Tyn hat, is a headdress worn by the royal dancers of the Bamiléké tribes during important ceremonies held by the tribal chief.

They symbolize prosperity and are believed to posses the positive qualities of birds and the beauty as well as fragility of life.

The headdresses are made of natural or dyed chicken feathers as well as various wild bird feathers. The feathers are stitched onto a woven raffia support that can be folded or unfolded.

The juju hat, which can be used as a spectacular eye-catching wall decor, has, over the years, become one of the most « must have » decor object.

Kronbali proposes 5 different sizes and a wide range of rich colors either monochrome or mixed, a selection of natural references as ell as a unique range of « custom made » colors.



Please see below our color and size range.

   
Standard size : 75 – 80 cm (29.5 – 31.5 inches)

Vibrant Juju hat colors from Kronbali

Custom made Juju hat colors made by Kronbali


Small size : 45 – 50 cm (17.5-19.5 inches)


KRONBALI JUJU HAT

Mini size : 35 – 50 cm (13.5 – 15.5 inches)







Please note:

1 – Juju hats are handmade in a traditional manner by extremely talented craftsmen. We work with several different families; each one with their method of production therefor there can be slight variations in colors and size.
It is these differences that we at Kronbali cherish most. Each headdress is truly unique.

2 – Dye does not go well with direct sunlight. We suggest that you avoid placing the Juju hat in direct sunlight as color might fade.

3 – Moths like feathers!!! Our Juju hats are thoroughly and regularly treated until we ship them. We highly recommend that you continue treating the headdress every two to three months with an anti Moth spray.
  
 
How to unwrap and hang a Juju hat



1. We ship our Juju hats folded as in image 1.

2. The b string is the one you will need to unwrap, do not cut this or any string.

3. Once the b string is unwrapped you need to push at the center d of the raffia support d, placing both your hands as in the image, your fingers holding the raffia ring while your thumbs push in the center. You can also push with your knee, especially for the large or extra large ones.

4. The feathers will unfold like a flower; push all the way so the center pops out nicely.



1. Once the Juju hat is unfolded, place the feathers, as they were wrapped up they now need to “breath”.

2. You can move the outer raffia sticks (the ones covered in textile) to better place the overall feel of the Juju hat.

3. Once the outer feathers are nicely set, spray a little water and, if you wish, a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil onto the feathers and blow-dry them with a hair dryer. This will fluff up the feathers.

4. To hang all you will need is to hang the thread loop c onto a nail in the wall.




* Notice I have marked thread a, this is an important thread in the Juju hat. It is the thread that holds the outer raffia sticks together. Please make sure not to cut this thread (or any other one) but if your Juju hat were to be a little loose, this thread can be tightened. It’s simple to do but you need to be careful that the raffia sticks don’t get undone. Untie the knot, tighten and retie the knot. If you tighten too much the Juju hat will stand out more from the wall so I suggest not tightening too much.

For more information or to place an order please send an email here.

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How to unfold and hang a Juju hat

Here's a little "How To" post. It's about time right?  1. A folded juju hat, that's how it is shipped and will arrive to you (wrapped in bubble in a solid box of course) 2. The b string is what you will need to "unwrap" (do not cut any strings!) 3. Once the b string is unwrapped you will push in the center d of the raffia support, placing both your hands as in the image your fingers grasping the raffia ring while your thumbs push in the center, you can also push with your knee, especially for the large once (as I was taking the photo my other hand was holding the camera) 4. The feathers will unfold like a flower, push all the way till the center sort of pops out. 1. Once the juju hat is unfolded you will place the feathers, they were all wrapped up so they need to "breath" now. 2. You can move the outer raffia sticks (covered in textile), do this to better place the feathers* 3. Once the outer feathers nicely p

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    Cluster the  Juju hats  together sticking to three tones in three sizes. Group three Juju Hats left and three Juju Hats on the right and link with two spaced out in the center. Again work with three sizes and three tones. Cluster three standard size Juju hats and then add small and mini ones on the left and right.  Use natural three tones mixed with a solid color of your choice. Cluster three same Juju hats on the left, add another spaced out on the right, blend the installation with a mini in between. Place a small half open, below the installation, on a console, chimney or other. This brings more dimension to the whole installation. Cluster three Juju hats on the left and add another spaced out on the right blend the installation with a mini in between. For any further information please do not hesitate to contact us at kronbali@kronbali.com

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