Te mwae ni wi n aomata

human history

Te mwae ni wi n aomata. Neck ornament of human teeth. This is made of two material components: dark brown te ira n atu (human hair) and wi n aomata (human teeth). The series of wi n aomata range in type defining the area of the human jaw it was obtained from. A small perforation has been drilled into the root end of each tooth pendant where a where a loose braid of te ira n atu has been threaded through. The wi n aomata range in off-white colour, many showing darkened areas and some even featuring a hollow opening near the root end. This mwae (neck ornament) consists of forty seven wi n aomata and an extra six that have been left loose frmo the mwae. Extensions of braided te ira n atu feature at both ends of the mwae and have been left unfastend. These types of te mwae (Neck ornaments) can symbolise the victory of a battle, often obtaining the teeth of their opponent. In contrast to this, the teeth could also be obtained from ones ancestors to keep them close by.

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

Adornment

Other Name

Neck ornament of human teeth (English)

Accession Number

1936.295

Accession Date

1936

Other Id

22917 (ethnology)

141 (Maude Collection)

Department

Pacific

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