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Emin Pascha collected two Latooka helmets that are now in the Weltmuseum in Vienna. They differ from those described by Baker in that the have one instead of two plates.10 Moreover, on the three known examples (one of which is in Berlin), the metal plates described by Baker and Emin are absent altogether. These plates appear to have had such a high material or spiritual value that they were removed prior to the helmets’ being relinquished. Mack expressed the supposition that they might have been incorporated into the unique copper breastplates that were later collected among the Latooka. 116 The area of the Acholi (Schúli), a northern Ugandan group, is just south of the Latooka region. Emin Pascha visited Fadibek, a station in the eastern Acholi district, with one of their chiefs, who was named Agnok: The Schúli have a greater fondness for beads than any of the other local tribes. The blood red ones and the opalescent white ones are especially prized. Men weave cowrie shells and beads into their hair, but the coiffures are not quite so elaborate here as they are among the Schúli further south or east of here. Iron ornaments are ubiquitous.11 FIG. 8 (above): Coiffure with brass plates and plumes. Latooka, South Sudan. Brass, plant fi ber, human hair, ostrich plumes. H: 30 cm. Private collection. FEATURE


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