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Tabua

human history
  • Ingoa Kē

    Whale Tooth (Fijian)

  • Kupu whakaahua

    Tabua. A large size ceremonial whale's tooth with braided magimagi (coconut sennit) suspension cord attached. An iyau (treasure) of high cultural value to Fijians. Made from whale bone, the tabua is carved and ground into a crescent shape to replicate tabua shaped from tovuto (sperm whale) tooth. Ovoid in cross section. The outer surface of the tabua is porous and a speckled off white colour with several dents. A small cross is etched onto the surface of this tabua.

    The cord of magimagi is medium brown in colour.

  • Wāhi
  • Accession Number
    1925.92
  • Rā Tāpiringa
    30 Apr 1925
  • Tohu Tuakiri Kē

    13571 (ethnology)

  • Wāhanga
Tabua, 1925.92, 13571, Photographed by Jennifer Carol,… … Read more

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