Ipu tau'ava

human history

Ipu tau'ava. 'Ava serving cup. This ipu (cup) is made from a hollowed out popo (coconut shell). This type of ipu was used to serve 'ava (kava) during 'ava ceremonies. Therefore a smaller variety of coconut known as niu tea was required to make this type of ipu. The ipu has a rough surface both on the inside and the outside due to its lack of polish. The natural point at the coconut shell's base had been pierced to create a suspension hole, this is broken.

Accession number: 1973.16 Last Update: 14 Sept 2023
Other Name

'Ava serving cup

kava cup

Place
Samoa/Pacific
Accession Number

1973.16

Accession Date

1973

Other Id

45932.3 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

Enquire API view
5 Images
cup, kava, 1973.16, 45932.3, Photographed by Denise Baynham, digital, 12 Mar 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
View gallery ( 5)