Te mwae ni wi n aomata

Te mwae ni wi n aomata. Neck ornament of human teeth. This is made of two material components: te kora (coconut sennit fibre cordage) 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 two-ply kora 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. It is heavy in weight. The ends have been left unfastened. 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.