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Rabaraba

human history
  • Common Name
    Adornment
  • Other Name

    Headdress (English)

  • Description

    Rabaraba. Headdress. This would be worn on the head by girls and women. It is made of two material components: te ira (pandanus leaf) and dark brown human hair. It has been made into two woven bands, sealed at each end by wide strips of plain te ira folded and attached with a fine two-ply cord of dark brown human hair. Their ends have been cut like the shape of a swallow's tail. Small dark brown spots and staining feature on the surface of one of the long stipped ends.

    The woven band shows a square motif pattern repeated across the top and bottom borders. This has been defined by the pale natural colour of the te ira and the surrounding weave of dark brown human hair. The use of dark brown human hair is only evident across the front facing surface of the band. A loose and long strand of hair features at one end of the band. There shape is similar to that of baraitoa (neck band), however the length of the swallow tail-like ends defines them as head bands.

  • Place
    Nikunau [Nikuuau]/Gilbert Islands/Kiribati
  • Accession Number
    1940.3
  • Accession Date
    1940
  • Other Id

    25175.6 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

Rabaraba; 1940.3; 25175.6; Cultural Permissions Apply

Images and documents

Images

  • Rabaraba; 1940.3; 25175.6; Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Rabaraba; 1940.3; 25175.6; Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Rabaraba; 1940.3; 25175.6; Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Rabaraba; 1940.3; 25175.6; Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Rabaraba; 1940.3; 25175.6; Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Rabaraba; 1940.3; 25175.6; Cultural Permissions Apply

Artefact

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