Te otanga

human history

Te Otanga. Overalls. This specimen of te otanga is constructed from te kora (coconut sennit) in a hand-knotted technique termed te kabaebae. The otanga provides a protective under-layer of armour covering the legs and the front of the torso with halter ties. It would be worn in conjunction with a tuta (protective sleeves, also made with te kora). In comparison to other armour components of the full suit of Kiribati aroume made of te kora in a tighter weave such as the tanga (cuirass) or te katibana (protective waist band) the weave of the otanga is looser to accomodate the movements of the wearer. The otanga would have been custom-made for the wearer. To provide a level of comfort against the coarse kora fibre, the wearer would have to oil their body, then place baan te uri (leaves of the uri tree) The otanga is medium brown in colour.

Accession number: 1938.166 Last Update: 30 Nov 2018
Other Name

Overalls, armour (English)

Accession Number

1938.166

Accession Date

1938

Other Id

24161.3 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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Te otanga; 1938.166; 24161.3; Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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