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Tabua

human history
  • Other Name

    Whale tooth (English)

  • Description

    Tabua. Four ceremonial whale's teeth with a hole drilled at each tip area attached to a dark red plaited suspension cord. An iyau (treasure) of high cultural value to Fijians. The teeth are sourced from tovuto (sperm whale), each is curved and tapered towards its tip, and ovoid in cross section. The outer surface of each tabua is highly polished and a yellow-brown colour, possibly enhanced through a smoking technique. Several fine scratches and nicks on the tabuas surface.

    The hollow inner cavity of the tabua are conical in shape and dark brown in colour. Each tabua is attached to the cord by a short length of wa kaukamea (metal wire) twisted through the drilled hole at their tips then secured to the cord. Large knot in the middle of the cord. The suspension cord is plaited form plant fibre.

  • Place
    Unknown
  • Accession Date
    [1929]
  • Other Id

    4042 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

Tabua, 4042, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 02 Aug… … Read more

Images and documents

Images

  • Tabua, 4042, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 02 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 4042, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 02 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 4042, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 02 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 4042, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 02 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 4042, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 02 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply

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