'ūla vavae

human history

'ūla vavae. Neck ornament. 'Ula is a type of Samoan adornment, worn around the neck. It is worn on special occasions, as part of a dance attire and offered as gifts to family, friends and visitors. This 'ula is made up of vavae (kapok) seeds. These are black in colour with a thin and fragile shell exterior. They have been perforated on two sides and strung on a brown string. This 'ula is broken in several area, resulting in twelve parts of this 'ula, plus a number of loose vavae.

Accession number: 1986.241 Last Update: 3 Jul 2026
Other Name

ula (Samoan)

Neck ornament (English)

Place
Samoa/Pacific
Accession Number

1986.241

Accession Date

20 Oct 1986

Other Id

52305.6 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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9 Images
ornament, neck, 1986.241, 52305.6, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 26 Feb 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
ornament, neck, 1986.241, 52305.6, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 26 Feb 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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