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Ripley's Believe it or Not!
Shrunken Head

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Believe It or Not!

This head came from a normal person!
The Jivaro Indians of Ecuador claim their enemies' heads as symbols of bravery, and display them - reduced to fist size - as war trophies.

To shrink a head, the Jivaros slit the back of the neck and peel the skin away from the skull. Once the skull is removed they sew the head, including the eyes and mouth, back together. Hot stones and sand are poured into the vacant cavity and the head is boiled in a broth of secret herbs. Finally, the miniaturized head is cured over an open fire to give it a distinctive leathery texture.