Te ano

human history

Te ano. Game cube. This example of an ano is used in a traditional Tuvaluan game of the same name. It is also used in the Tuvaluan game called poo ili. The ano consists of two layers of weaving; there is an internal layer of strong, sturdy lau fala (pandanus leaves) woven in single check to create the cube, often weighted in the centre with a stone. The outer layer is woven in single check with natural and dyed lau kie (peeled pandanus leaves). Some Tuvaluan islands call this finer variety of pandanus "galegale". The dyed lau kie is black and orange in colour. While this type of ano is used by girls, other kinds of ano can be woven in a larger size, or a round shape, which are often used by boys.

Accession number: 1951.204.10 Last Update: 1 Sept 2026
Other Name

Toy cube (English)

Place
Vaitupu/Tuvalu
Accession Number

1951.204.10

Accession Date

23 Dec 1951

Other Id

32524 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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