Te biti n un

human history

Te biti n un. Small knife set with shark's teeth. This small weapon consists of fifteen wii n bakoa (shark’s teeth) perforated at the base and lashed to a curved wooden handle. The wooden shaft and handle is carved from te ngea wood. It is diamond in cross section with a smooth surface treatment. A series of drilled depressions along the side edge of the handle at one end creates the grooved ridge in which the fifteen wii n bakoa slot in securely lashed with kora (coconut fibre cordage). Two additional perforations are drilled at the grip end for loops of te kora (coconut sennit) to thread through for suspension. The wii n bakoa are natural in colour, while the wooden handle and te kora are dark brown in colour.

Accession number: 1951.207.12 Last Update: 31 Mar 2026
Other Name

Dagger set with shark's teeth (English)

Place
Kiribati
Accession Number

1951.207.12

Accession Date

19 Dec 1951

Other Id

32541 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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