Nexus precursor

In many cultures – e.g. African cultures – neck supports are regularly used. The common explanation is that they are used to support the head so as not to dishevel the hairstyles. This may be part of the explanation, but if you look at the devices used, you will notice that they are also applied directly to a very sensitive part of the neck.

So it is certainly not too far-fetched to bring into play the effect on the local musculature as at least a partial motivation for using these neck supports.
However, I have not yet been able to get direct information on this, and I would be grateful for any help…