Tabua

Tabua. Used for ceremonial purposes, consisting of a tovuto (sperm whale)'s tooth with wa ni tabua (cord of the tabua) attached to the ends of the tooth. The tabua is curved in shape consisting of a wide root end tapering to a pointed end, and is ovoid in cross-section. The colouring of the tabua consists of various tones of yellow and brown, and is of high-polish. There are two holes drilled on either side of the closed end, and another hole is drilled at the root end of the tabua. The wa ni tabua voivoi (cord of the tabua made of pandanus), is woven out in a 'chain-like' weave. Strips of magimagi (coconut sennit) are threaded through both ends of the tabua, securing the wa ni tabua to the tabua.

Other Name

Whale tooth (English)

Place

Fiji

Accession Number

1991.81

Accession Date

31 May 1991

Other Id

53887.1 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific