Te mwae ni wi n aomata

human history

Te mwae ni wi n aomata. Neck ornament of human teeth. This is made from te kora (coconut sennit fibre cordage) and wi n aomata (human teeth). A two-ply kora has been made to form the neck band. 8 teeth have been threaded and knotted onto the kora. The teeth carry in type depending from where they would have been obtained along the jaw. Small circular perforations have been drilled into the root ends of the teeth, some featuring more than one for the purpose of threading kora through. The wi n aomata are off-white with some pale yellow colouring. The mwae (Neck ornament) has been left unfastened. These types of te mwae 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
Other Name

Neck ornament of human teeth (English)

Accession Number

1936.295

Accession Date

1936

Other Id

24087 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

Enquire API view
8 Images
Te mwae ni wi n aomata; 1936.295; 24087; Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
View gallery ( 8)