Ipu popo

human history

Ipu Popo. Bowl of Coconut Shell. This ipu (bowl) is made from a hollowed out popo (coconut shell) which has been cut in half. Typically used to serve foods such as 'ota (raw fish) and fāausi (Samoan dessert), this bowl is made from specific coconut known as niu vai (big variety of coconut). The surface of the ipu is smooth and dotted with an assortment of scratches which occurred during it's manufacture. The ipu is varying shades of dark brown with a slight patch of discolouration inside, left behind from what it had contained. The underside of the ipu is rounded and the natural peak of the popo has been carved to emphasize a thick point to allow the drilling a of a tiny suspension hole.

Last Update: 14 Sept 2023
Other Name

Bowl of Coconut Shell (English)

Place
Samoa/Pacific
Accession Date

1890

Other Id

11759 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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bowl, 11759, Photographed 13 Mar 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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