CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO DRESSING THE HAIR IN BUSH NEGRO SOCIETY AND ELABORATELY CARVED COMBS LIKE THIS SPECIMEN ARE AMONG THE MOST PRIZED POSSESSIONS OF WOMEN. SUCH COMBS ARE INCLUDED IN THE GIFTS--"SANNEH" OR "TIMBEH"--WHICH ENTER INTO BRIDEWEALTH PAYMENTS AT THE TIME OF MARRIAGE. BECAUSE DIVORCE IS A RATHER INFORMAL MATTER, THE HUSBAND FINDS HIMSELF IN THE POSITION OF BEING A PERMANENT SUITOR AND ELABORATELY CARVED GIFTS ARE USED TO MAINTAIN THE AFFECTIONS OF A SPOUSE. DECORA- TION OF THE COMB HANDLE IS MADE TO STAND OUT BY CUTTING SOME AREAS COMPLETELY THROUGH. COMBS ARE NOT USED AS ORNAMENTS IN A FINAL COIFFEUR BUT ONLY TO PART AND DRESS THE HAIR IN A DESIGN OF TUFFS, BRAIDS, AND PLAITS. (SEE P. DARK 1954 BUSH NEGRO ART: AN AFRICAN ART IN THE AMERICAS, pp. 10, 50.)
