Description: Tabua. Consisting of a tovuto (sperm whale)'s tooth with wa ni tabua voivoi (cord of the tabua made of pandanus leaf) attached to the ends of the tooth. Wide root end tapering towards a pointed end, ovoid in cross-section, with a hollow cavity. The tabua is yellow/orange in overall colour, with patches of brown. There is a hole drilled through the pointed end and through the root end of the tabua. Strips of vau (hibiscus fibre) are threaded through the pointed end, with strips of a plant fibre threaded through the root end. The ends of the wa ni tabua (cord of the tabua) is tied to the vau and plant fibre strips. The wa ni tabua is woven out in a 'chain-like' weave. A long thread of nylon wire is also threaded through each hole, and is threaded through the entire length of the wa ni tabua, providing additional reinforcement. "N E R E O" is incised across the tabua. "[?] [?] E" is also incised across the opposite side of the tabua.
Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1986.230Accession Date: 02 Nov 1986Description: Tabua. Consisting of a tovuto (sperm whale)'s tooth with wa ni tabua voivoi (cord of the tabua made of pandanus leaf) attached to the ends of the tooth. Wide root end tapering…