Te reeree

human history

Te reeree. Sword. This is a decorative model of reeree that is characteristic of Kiribati weaponry. A long cylindrical wooden shaft tapers off at one end then encased with a woven cover of kakoko (the young, white leaf of the coconut frond). A natural white pattern of kakoko defines chevron style patterns against a block coloured pattern of green and pink dyed kakoko wefts. The point of the reeree has been bound off with a pink and natural off coloured two-ply string. The point is accentuated with short white chicken feathers, long dark brown feathers and loose kakoko pinnules in a natural and pink dyed colours. The base part of the reeree features a similar finish, bound with the same coloured string and feather type. Either side of the reeree feature claws of waro (stomatopods; sea mantis) and then four evenly placed wii ni bakoa (shark teeth). Mid brown noko (coconut midrib) has been placed either side of the claws and teeth to hold them upright. Then a thin white thread has been threaded through the drilled perforated holes of the claws and teeth, binding them with the noko and to the shaft. A two-ply rolled string of pink and natural white colour has been threaded through the base of the woven grip cover to create a looped handle.

Accession number: 2014.18.3 Last Update: 16 Sept 2026
Other Name

Sword (English)

Accession Number

2014.18.3

Accession Date

12 Mar 2014

Other Id

55583 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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