Tuluma

human history

Tuluma. Tackle box. This is a carved tuluma made of kanava (evergreen wood). The tuluma is cylindrical in shape with an oval base. The tuluma is a dark brown colour with a smooth polished surface. The tuluma is comprised of a case and a lid connected by a kau (handle) made of kafā (coconut sennit). The case is deep with two rectangular shaped taliga (lugs) on either side of the rim. Each taliga is drilled with a hole and threaded with the kau. The lid is oval shaped, shallow, and carved to fit the case. On either side of the lid are two taliga shaped like those on the case. Along the edge of the lid, located at a middle point between the taliga, is a pointed lug. This lug would have been used to open the tuluma. On top of the lid is a rectangular lug with a hole through which the kau is threaded through. Tuluma were used as tackle boxes and housed pa taki aheu (fish hooks). Tuluma also served as storage in the household. Tuluma was made of kanava wood so that if it fell into the water it would remain afloat. Long handled adzes were used to carve out the shape of the tuluma before it was sanded using kili fai (skin of a stingray). The tight fit of the lid meant the tuluma was water tight, protecting the contents inside. For these reasons tuluma were considered very important to the Tokelau community.

Accession number: 1970.208 Last Update: 29 Oct 2019
Other Name

Fishing tackle box (English)

Accession Number

1970.208

Accession Date

1970

Other Id

43777 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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