Te atau

human history

Te atau. Weight used in game of kabane. Te atau acts as a bolus weight used in the game of kabane which is a national sport in Kiribati, whereby a line or string is attached to the weight or a ball and thrown over a feather thrown up in the air. The object is also noted as being used to take or catch frigate birds. This particular atau comprises two weights made from clam shell attached by a length of te kora string. The larger of the two weights is slightly rectangular in shape but is curved and rounded like a stone. Its surface is mostly smooth but is covered in small black dots and markings, and is off-white in colour. The smaller weight is more rounded and egg-shaped in form, with a slight tip at one end. It is slightly darker than the larger weight but has less abrasions and markings and is off-white in colour. Both weights have holes drilled into the uppermost part of their bodies, to allow for te kora (sennit-fibre cord) to be strung through. The two ends of the te kora string are threaded through the clam shell weights and knotted to secure them.

Accession number: 1936.295 Last Update: 30 Nov 2018
Common Name

Armament T&E, Bludgeon

Other Name

Weight used in the game of kabane (English)

Accession Number

1936.295

Accession Date

1936

Other Id

22823 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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Te atau, 1936.295, 22823, Photographed by Andrew Hales, digital, 08 Nov 2018, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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