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Shrunken heads were traditionally made from the heads of defeated enemies, usually warriors from rival tribes.
The Jivaro believed that part of the deceased's life spirit (the mouseak) could continue to wander around and take revenge. By shrinking the head, sewing the mouth shut and performing rituals, they deprived him of his power. Thus, they protected themselves and the village.
Origin: Amazon region
Yana was probably a young woman aged around 25, from a neighbouring tribe with which tensions had existed for generations.