Pale fuiono, forehead ornament of Nautilus shell, part of tuiga headdress.

two rows of shells backed with red cloth.

Pale fuiono are a part of the tuiga, which is a composite ceremonial headdress. It is dismantled after use, and the individual elements carefully stored until needed again. This pale fuiono has two rows of polished Nautilus shell segments sewn on to a backing of cotton-covered pandanus strips with attached plaited ties. Nautilus shell was imported from Tonga and was consequently rare and highly valued. Formerly, only appointed ceremonial village maidens, taupou, and high chiefs’ sons, manaia, could wear the tuiga during important occasions. Today, these restrictions are much less rigid and many people wear modern versions of the tuiga for entertainments.

illustrated in "Polynesian Artifacts" pl 56.