What do you think this is used for?

Who uses it? Where do you think it was made?

This ring, made from corn-husks, is placed on the top of the head to help balance the load when carrying large or heavy items. Using the top of the head to carry a load can, if you know how to do it right, be much easier and safer than using one's arms, because it allows for better balance in the body and therefore fewer accidents. Carrying things on one's head is not specific to one location or region, but has been a practice since prehistoric times.

This ring was made in Kenya, and was used by anyone who wanted extra cushioning on their head while carrying something heavy. It was donated to the Karshner Center in 1996.

For more information, visit:

• This artifact in the Karshner Digital Collections
• Artifact Worksheets you can use in your classroom or for homeschool
• Head-carrying [Wiki]