Akan? (West Africa) Headrest Wood, metal accessories

In much of West Africa, people use headrests for resting or sleeping. The headrest's curved top is placed beneath the ear and alongside of the jaw, thus supporting the head. Occasionally, a headrest will be positioned at the base of the neck. The hard wood surface of the headrest limits sleeping positions to either one's side or back, the form provides adequate comfort. In addition to supporting the head while at rest, the headrest protects and preserves the elaborate coiffures worn by many Africans. These hairstyles are complicated and time-consuming to create taking as much as forty hours to complete. For many, the headrests allow for a maintained coiffure for a few months.