Te reeree

human history

Te reeree. Sword. This is a hand held weapon. A length of light weight wood has been cut, carved and filed to form a cylindrical shape. The wood is light brown in colour. An exposed section at one end of the length portrays the handle area. The base of this section tapers into a short point. An adhesive label that has deteriorated in some places has been placed along the length of the handle. It has some calligraphy written upon it that has faded and is unreadable. A single piece of the kora (cordage of coconut sennit fibres) has been wrapped around the mid section of the handle. The kora has been used to border off the handle area and cover the beginning lengths of four pairs of the noko (coconut midribs). Each pair of the noko has been position in quarters around the circumference of the length. They twine and cross over each other forming an elongated diamond pattern that runs towards the tapered end of the reeree. Each pair of the noko has been continuously inlayed with wii ni bakoa (sharks teeth). Each wii ni bakoa shows a central perforation for the purpose of inserting the nimwaerere (cordage of human hair and coconut sennit fibres) and the kora. Both the nimwaerere and the kora have been used to horizontally lash and secure each wii ni bakoa and the noko into place along the blade section of the length. A coil of the nimwaerere features just below the point of the reeree to finish off the ends of the noko. It has become loose exposing some of the wood beneath. The central section of the reeree shows some missing fragments and loose fibres.

Last Update: 29 Jun 2026
Common Name

Armament T&E, Bludgeon

Other Name

Sword (English)

Accession Date

Unknown

Other Id

2004x4.476 (temporary accession number)

Department

Pacific

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10 Images
Te reeree, 2004x4.476, Photographed by Daan Hoffmann, digital, 03 Dec 2018, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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