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Tabua

human history
  • Other Name

    Whale tooth (English)

  • Description

    Tabua. A ceremonial whale's tooth with a hole drilled at its tip and base areas for suspension. An iyau (treasure) of high cultural value to Fijians. Sourced from a tovuto (sperm whale), the tabua is horn-shaped, curved and tapered towards its tip. Ovoid in cross section. The outer surface of the tabua is highly polished and a dark yellow colour. Several fine scratches and nicks on the tabua's surface. The rim around the base of the tabua is jagged.

    One crack in the enamel around the tip. The hollow inner cavity of the tabua is conical in shape and dark brown in colour. Suspension cord of gold-coloured wa kaukamea (metal wire) is threaded through the drilled holes of the tabua.

  • Place
    Fiji
  • Accession Number
    1955.152.324
  • Accession Date
    24 Aug 1955
  • Other Id

    35466 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

Tabua, 1955.152.324, 35466, Photographed by Jennifer Carol,… … Read more

Images and documents

Images

  • Tabua, 1955.152.324, 35466, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1955.152.324, 35466, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1955.152.324, 35466, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1955.152.324, 35466, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1955.152.324, 35466, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1955.152.324, 35466, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1955.152.324, 35466, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply

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