What powers do a shrunken head give to the bearer?

Question

I've been reading about shrunken heads that the tribes people of Ecuador and Peru used to make of the enemies they killed. The heads were kept not only as trohies, but mainly as a means of improsoning the victim's soul and so it serves the new owner of the head. I want to know, in what way does the victim's soul serve the bearer? What powers can it provide? Is the soul beleived to be able to leave the shrunken head in order to carry out its duties, or is permanently trapped within the trophie-head?

Answer 1

It is just another myth but like a lot of myths if you believe in them they can give you more confidence and you will do things that you would not normally do

Answer 2

My understanding back in school -- and I have no idea anymore what book I had read this in -- was that the shrunken head was there to ensure that all the strength and bravery the dead man had possessed in life now went to the bearer of the head, and so they would be worn in war-time.
Speaking practically, if you saw a fellow with several shrunken heads on his belt, you'd definitely know he's a man to stay away from if you can.

Answer 3

A shrunken head, like any amulet, does not automatically confer power on anybody-- that's just something you see in movies.

If you already HAVE some magic ability, you can use a shrunken head for divination-- sort of like a magic mirror, right? You can also use it to communicate with someone over vast distances, and to see into the realm of death/communicate with the dead.

Answer 4

Gives you the ability to gross people out by showing them shrunken heads.

Answer 5

None, but looking at it through a fictional view, they gave people confidence and the ability of divination.

Answer 6

the abillity to buy smaller and cheaper hats :-)

Answer 7

None