Kenyan Traditional Headrests

Neck support was as important in the past as it is today. Herding was no easy task and sometimes herders needed a break – that’s where headrests came in, over 200 years ago. They were comfortable and were a better option than direct contact with the ground. Headrests support the head by cradling it along the jawline, elevating it from the ground. They were known to align the spine, and in some communities, protect intricate hairstyles (that would take hours to create) from dust or being flattened. Below are headrests from the Pokot and Rendille communities respectively