Vilivili

human history

Vilivili. Pump drill. This is a handmade vilivili made of various materials. The shaft of the vilivili is cylindrical in shape and made of wood. The shaft is threaded through a flat circular disc also made of wood. The disc is suspended by two metal nails that are embedded into the shaft. This disc gives the vilivili momentum when it is spinning but also balances it. At the top of the shaft a suspension cord made of twine is attached. At the other end of the twin is a crossbar made of a thin twig. The mata (point) of the vilivili is a nail embedded in to the shaft with the sharp point exposed. To use the vilivili the suspension cord is tightly wrapped around the shaft. To spin, the user must push downward on the crossbar. This momentum will unravel the suspension cord before wrapping it once again. This downward pressure allows for the vilivili to rotate in alternating directions. Vilivili were used to bore small holes into fish hooks, pendants and pearl shell lures.

Accession number: 1970.208 Last Update: 25 Oct 2022
Other Name

Pump drill (English)

Accession Number

1970.208

Accession Date

1970

Other Id

43940 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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Vilivili, 1970.208, 43940, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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