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Te mwae ni wi n aomata

human history
  • Other Name

    Neck ornament of human teeth (English)

  • Description

    Te mwae ni wi n aomata. Neck ornament of human teeth. This is made of two material components: te kora (coconut sennit fibre cordage) and wi n aomata (human teeth). The series of wi n aomata range in type defining the area of the human jaw it was obtained from. A small perforation has been drilled into the root end of each tooth pendant where a two-ply kora has been threaded through.

    The wi n aomata range in off-white colour, many showing darkened areas and some even featuring a hollow opening near the root end. It is heavy in weight. The ends have been fastened into a knot. These types of te mwae (Neck ornaments) can symbolise the victory of a battle, often obtaining the teeth of their opponent. In contrast to this, the teeth could also be obtained from ones ancestors to keep them close by.

  • Place
    Nonouti/Gilbert Islands/Kiribati
  • Accession Number
    1940.3
  • Accession Date
    1940
  • Other Id

    25194.1 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

Te mwae ni wi n aomata; 1940.3; 25194.1; Cultural… … Read more

Images and documents

Images

  • Te mwae ni wi n aomata; 1940.3; 25194.1; Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Te mwae ni wi n aomata; 1940.3; 25194.1; Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Te mwae ni wi n aomata; 1940.3; 25194.1; Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Te mwae ni wi n aomata; 1940.3; 25194.1; Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Te mwae ni wi n aomata; 1940.3; 25194.1; Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Te mwae ni wi n aomata; 1940.3; 25194.1; Cultural Permissions Apply

Artefact

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