LU SPARE

Lu "spare". This round pad, no longer in use today, is a ring-shaped cushion (here shown in an even too plush version) which women used to place on their head to help soothe the friction caused by heavy weights such as water pots, baskets containing wet laundry, voluminous burdens, brushwood etc.). Women were skilled carriers and rarely let anything fall off their head. Their ability was certainly improved by the use of "lu spare" but also by the instinctive neck movements with which they kept the burdens in balance. It was not unusual for a woman to address an occasional passer-by to help her " 'mbonne" (place the burden on her head). Another do-it-yourself version of this object was quickly obtained by twisting and wrapping up a heavy cloth in the shape of a ring-pad.
 
         
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