Shrunken Head

The Peruvians and Ecuadorians shrank heads due to their religious beliefs. They believe that the spirits of the dead person could try to get revenge, and they believed they could harness the dead person’s ‘power’ by having their head. It also served as a warning for anyone who challenged them. How was it done? They first removed the skull from the head.  Then, the fat and flesh would be removed. The eyelids were sown shut, and the mouth was held together with splinters. To make the head shrink, they would boil it with herbs. Afterward, they would dry it using hot rocks and sand, while the preparer molded it, so it would maintain some human features. In the end, the lips were sown shut and the head was decorated.

Shrunken Head

Shrunken Head trading also occurred. When it was realized that shrunken heads existed, many people decided they wanted to have their own. You could buy one for around twenty-five dollars. But what was most common was that they would be traded for a gun. One head = One gun. It was eventually outlawed, though. And in the current society it is illegal to trade shrunken heads in most countries.

Shrunken Head Replica

Want to buy one? Like I mentioned, they’re illegal. But there are replicas made through different methods. Most are made using leather and animal hides. But don’t worry, the replicas look real, just like the replica above.