Pocket Caps

POCKET CAPS. Small boys generally run about quite nude, with their long hair unconfined. At about the age of seven they don the breech cloth and the hair over the forehead is banged straight across. Both men and boys allow the back locks to grow long and twist them into coils which are held to the back of the head by means of basket work caps. These caps, which also serve as pockets, are held in place by means of cords passing across the forehead but hidden by the hair. In addition to the uses already mentioned, these head pieces also. indicate, in a way, the age group to which the wearer belongs. the small caps of the boys are often woven in colors; bachelors adorn their caps with strips of brightly stained rattan, dog's teeth, shell and other decorations until they are often highly ornamented;while married men wear plain caps of peculiar weave. These three groups are here shown in a series of caps secured in the pueblo of Bontoc, together with types from other towns in the Bontoc culture area. BONTOC IGOROT. Northern Luzon, Philippine Islands. Robert F. Cummings Expedition.