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Ta'ovala

human history
  • Description

    Kiekie. Waist ornament. Kiekie are waist ornaments which are worn by females in Tonga as part of their formal wear. They are also worn by school girls and boys in Tonga as part of their school uniform. Kiekie are traditionally made from natural materials which are sourced locally in Tonga or in villages. However, kiekie can be made from a combination of synthetic and natural materials, or entirely from synthetic material.

    This kiekie is made with fau (hibiscus) fibres and Lopa (red sandalwood) (red sandalwood) and hana (Job's tears) shells. The waistband is 3 ply plaited fau, along the waistband hangs strands of fau which have alternating sections of hana (Job's tears) and Lopa (red sandalwood) (red sandalwood) seeds strung onto it. The alternating colours and designs makes for a very striking chequered design along the entire length of the kiekie.

  • Place
    Niuafo'ou/Tonga/Pacific
  • Accession Number
    1976.73
  • Accession Date
    1976
  • Other Id

    47575 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

waist garment, 1976.73, 47575, Cultural Permissions Apply

Images and documents

Images

  • waist garment, 1976.73, 47575, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • waist garment, 1976.73, 47575, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • waist garment, 1976.73, 47575, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • waist garment, 1976.73, 47575, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • waist garment, 1976.73, 47575, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • girdle

Artefact

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