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Waist ornament

human history
  • Other Name

    kiekie (Tongan)

  • Description

    Kiekie kula. Beaded waist ornament. Kiekie is part of the formal wear of a Tongan. Kiekie consist of a waistband and along the waistband are hanging sections. Kiekie can be made from natural fibres such as ngatu, pandanus and fau. They can also be made from synthetic materials such as plastics or beads. Kiekie can be made and embellished with a variety of materials and the styles will also vary, this all depends on the maker.

    This kiekie has a waistband of black nylon strands which have been plaited in a 3 ply plait. Hanging from the waistband are strands of nylon which have coloured beads threaded from the top to bottom. The beads are strung on in a specific way that create an overall design along the length of the kiekie. The kiekie is separated into three coloured sections the first is made up of blue and clear coloured beads, the second is made up of red and green coloured beads, and the last is made up of red and clear coloured beads. Their is a fetu'u design on each section.

  • Place
  • Accession Number
    2004.78.32
  • Accession Date
    04 Aug 2004
  • Other Id

    56190 (ethnology)

  • Department
Waist ornament, 2004.78.32, 56190, Cultural Permissions… … Read more

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