Te mwae te bunna

Te mwae te bunna. Neck ornament of plaited and twisted human hair. Te mwae te bunna is a specially intended ornament that goes around the neck of a visitor to mark blessing, goodwill and protection. Special rituals precede the placing of te bunna. It could also be worn in dance. This Neck ornament is made from multiple, very thin three-ply plaited strands of te ira n atu (human hair) that are loosely laid together and twisted slightly. Both ends of this mass of hair are usually bound together with cords and tied in such a manner as to divide the mass into a circular loop at this point. These cords are also used to fasten te bunna, being knotted at the back of the neck. For this particular Neck ornament, one end remains unbound while the other is bound with pandanus fibre and has a two-ply rolled pandanus fibre cord for tying.

Other Name

Neck ornament of plaited and twisted human hair (English)

Place

Beru/Gilbert Islands/Kiribati

Accession Number

1936.295

Accession Date

1936

Other Id

22936 (ethnology)

13 (Maude Collection)

Department

Pacific