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Vai tatai

human history
  • Other Name

    Water carrier (English)

  • Description

    Vai tatai. Water carrier. Made by Simeona Setu. Vai tatai are used for taking water when out on the ocean or working in the outer islets, or in the gardens. They can also be used as vases for holding fresh flowers. This vai tatai is made from niu agalele (type of coconut) with a kau (handle) of kafa (coconut sennit cordage) which has a wire or metal inner for extra strength. The tulaga (base) is also made from kafa with a metal inner for extra sturdiness.

    There is a gutu (opening) at the top of the niu as well as a momono (stopper) which is attached to the kau. The outside of the niu is covered by fauato (two strand rolled twine). It is protection against breakage, whether through dropping or dashing against something hard. It will probably float if it falls into the ocean. The workman can create different types of mamanu (patterns) with the sennit cover, this one is diamond shaped.

  • Place
    Fakaofo/Tokelau Islands/Polynesia/Pacific
  • Accession Number
    1970.208
  • Accession Date
    1970
  • Other Id

    43783 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

vessel, water, 1970.208, 43783, Cultural Permissions Apply

Images and documents

Images

  • vessel, water, 1970.208, 43783, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • vessel, water, 1970.208, 43783, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • vessel, water, 1970.208, 43783, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • vessel, water, 1970.208, 43783, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • vessel, water, 1970.208, 43783, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • vessel, water, 1970.208, 43783, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • vessel, water, 1970.208, 43783, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • vessel, water, 1970.208, 43783, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • vessel, water, 1970.208, 43783, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • vessel, water, 1970.208, 43783, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • vessel, water, 1970.208, 43783, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • water vessel; Tokelau; 43783
  • water vessel; Tokelau; 43783
  • water vessel; Tokelau; 43783
  • water vessel; Tokelau; 43783
  • water vessel; Tokelau; 43783
  • water vessel; Tokelau; 43783
  • water vessel; Tokelau; 43783
  • water vessel; Tokelau; 43783
  • water vessel; Tokelau; 43783
  • water vessel; Tokelau; 43783

Artefact

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