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ornament, neck

human history
  • Other Name

    sisi (Tongan)

  • Description

    Sisi. Waist ornament. Sisi are waist ornaments which are worn on top of a ta'ovala (waist mat). These can be worn for special occasions and celebrations and are a part of ones dance attire for specific faiva. Sisi are usually made from all natural materials and scented flowers and plants are added for aesthetics as well as the fragrant qualities. This sisi is made from fau (hibiscus) fibre, the band is plaited with short red curled fau strips inserted and left to hang loose.

    Along the band, fa (pandanus keys) are attached with small pieces of fau fibre. Although now faded in colour, at the time of creation, it would have been a vibrant red and green in colour and had a sweet fragrant smell. Underneath the fa there are three rows of folded fau strips which make up the rest of the sisi. This particular sisi was worn by those from the Kolofo'ou village during their Laione lakalaka for the coronation of King George Tupou IV.

  • Place
    Nukualofa/Tonga/Pacific
  • Accession Number
    1976.73
  • Accession Date
    17 May 1976
  • Other Id

    47582 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

ornament, neck, 1976.73, 47582, Cultural Permissions Apply

Images and documents

Images

  • ornament, neck, 1976.73, 47582, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • ornament, neck, 1976.73, 47582, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • ornament, neck, 1976.73, 47582, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • ornament, neck, 1976.73, 47582, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • ornament, neck, 1976.73, 47582, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • ornament, neck, 1976.73, 47582, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • ornament, neck, 1976.73, 47582, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • sisi; neck ornament; 47582; a
  • sisi; neck ornament; 47582; b
  • sisi; neck ornament; 47582; c

Artefact

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