This headdress has a monkey skull attached to it. Hornbill casques were often used as well. The Illongot people of the Philippines conferred the honour of wearing headdresses like this, on warriors who were successful in headhunting. The idealised strong personality or “Big Man” and his corresponding female counterpart are at the centre of traditional societies across Southeast Asia. The Ilonggot, among many other communities, required an individual to succeed in an important achievement, such as headhunting, before they could be considered a full and adult member of the community.
