Tuluma

Tuluma. Tackle box. This is a carved tuluma made of kanava (cordia subcordata). The tuluma is cylindrical in shape with an oval base. The tuluma is a light brown colour with a smooth polished surface. The tuluma is comprised of a case and a lid connected by a kau (handle) made of kafā (coconut sennit). The case is deep with two rectangular taliga (lugs) on either side of the rim. Each taliga is drilled with a hole and threaded with the kau. The lid is oval shaped, shallow and carved to fit the case. On top of the lid is a square shaped lug drilled with a hole through which the kau is also threaded. The kafā braided using a fili laulua (two ply braid) technique. Tuluma were used as tackle boxes and housed pa taki aheu (fish hooks). Tuluma also served as storage of household items. Tuluma was made of kanava wood so that if it fell into the water it would remain afloat. Long handled adzes were used to carve out the shape of the tuluma before it was sanded using kili fai (skin of a stingray). The tight fit of the lid meant the tuluma was water tight, protecting the contents inside. For these reasons tuluma were considered very important to the Tokelau community.

Other Name

Fishing tackle box (English)

Place

Fakaofo/Tokelau Islands/Polynesia/Pacific

Accession Number

1970.208

Accession Date

1970

Other Id

43778 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific