Description: Ili. Fan. This is a hand woven 'ili. The lau (blade) has been lalaga (woven) from lau niu (coconut leaf). Braided lapalapa (solid central part of the coconut leaf) forms the spine of the 'au (handle). The 'au has then been encased by a piece of lau niu (coconut leaf). The lalaga technique used, differs between the lau and the 'au. The lau is shaped like an inverted triangle. The edge of the lau is serrated and is distinguished by its looser lalaga technique. The 'ili is a natural light brown and this colour would have been achieved by drying out the lau niu in the sun. This type of 'ili would have been used everyday to keep cool or to keep flies away from the food.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Date: [1929]Description: Ili. Fan. This is a hand woven 'ili. The lau (blade) has been lalaga (woven) from lau niu (coconut leaf). Braided lapalapa (solid central part of the coconut leaf) forms the…

Description: Ili tea. Finer fan. This is a hand woven 'ili tea. Tuāniu (coconut midrib) has been lalaga (woven) to form a frame for the lau (blade). The frame has been curved and tied to form a flower with two circles and ten petals. The frame is then wrapped in coloured strips of fau (type of hibiscus) dyed in varying colours such as purple, green, red, and yellow. The lau then sits in a slit created in the 'au (handle). The two components are held together by a few strands of fau but it is very fragile. The 'au is made from a cylindrical piece of wood and is undecorated. This type of 'ili tea would have been used to keep cool during a church service.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1929.303Accession Date: 1929Description: Ili tea. Finer fan. This is a hand woven 'ili tea. Tuāniu (coconut midrib) has been lalaga (woven) to form a frame for the lau (blade). The frame has been curved and tied to…

Description: Ili tea. Finer fan. This is a hand woven 'ili tea. Tuāniu (coconut midrib) has been lalaga (woven) to form the lau (blade). The lau is a diamond shape with a serrated edge. The lau has been lalaga using two different techniques. A finer technique using thinner strands is used for the upper half of the lau, while a looser technique with wider strands is used for the lower half. Two pieces of yellow ribbon have been lalaga through the lower half of the lau as a decorative feature. The 'au (handle) is rectangular in shape and encased in lau niu (coconut leaf). This 'ili tea would have been used to keep cool during a church service.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Date: [1929]Description: Ili tea. Finer fan. This is a hand woven 'ili tea. Tuāniu (coconut midrib) has been lalaga (woven) to form the lau (blade). The lau is a diamond shape with a serrated edge.…

Description: Selu. Comb. This particular type of comb may also be referred to as selu tuiga. This comb is of Samoa and made for the purposes of adorning the hair, primarily for female but can also be worn by male. It is made up of three components: tuāniu (coconut leaflet midrib), wire and glass beads. It is vertical in nature and its framework is made entirely from dried brown tuāniu. The base area shows a row of twenty-five tuāniu, two of which are broken at basal end. These are lined neatly in a flared manner and used as selu teeth for hair insertion. Across the teeth near the base is a section of wire lashings with attachments of multi-coloured glass beads. Further up in the mid-section of selu, numerous multi-coloured glass beads are threaded into loops through the tuāniu, up the side and across the body, some of which are showing to be loose. The upper or crowning area of the selu shows the truncation of most tuāniu leaving only three sets of tuāniu in the centre and on both sides. Each sets are intermittently lashed securely by wire. These sets of tuāniu join at the top and are tied together, producing a pinnacle as the crowning of the selu.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1929.303Accession Date: 1929Description: Selu. Comb. This particular type of comb may also be referred to as selu tuiga. This comb is of Samoa and made for the purposes of adorning the hair, primarily for female but…

Description: Selu. Comb. This particular type of comb may also be referred to as selu tuiga. This comb is of Samoa and made for the purposes of adorning the hair, primarily for female but can also be worn by male. It is made up of three components: tuāniu (coconut leaflet midrib), wire and glass beads. It is vertical in nature and its framework is made entirely from dried tuāniu. The lower part shows a row of twenty-six tuāniu, lined neatly in a flared manner and used as selu teeth for hair insertion. Flexible wires of light brown and dark brown colours are used to lash the tuāniu together across the mid-section. These lashings are arranged in ways to create decorative patterns. The upper or crowning area of the selu shows the truncation of most tuāniu leaving only three sets of tuāniu pairs on both sides and in the centre. Each pairs are intermittently lashed and further adorned by attachment of five miniature, white, glass beads. These remaining tuāniu are tied altogether at the very top, resulting in a pinnacle for the selu.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1954.11.39Accession Date: 15 Jan 1954Description: Selu. Comb. This particular type of comb may also be referred to as selu tuiga. This comb is of Samoa and made for the purposes of adorning the hair, primarily for female but…

Description: Selu. Comb. This particular type of comb may also be referred to as selu tuiga. This comb is of Samoa and made for the purposes of adorning the hair, primarily for female but can also be worn by male. It is made up of four components: tuāniu (coconut leaflet midrib), wire, glass beads and vulu (wool). It is vertical in nature and its framework is made entirely from dried tuāniu. The lower part shows a row of twenty-one tuāniu, lined neatly in a flared manner and used as selu teeth for hair insertion. Wires, light brown and dark brown in colours, are used to lash the tuāniu together across the mid-section. These lashings are arranged in ways to create serrated patterns. Furthermore, four small-scale wire lashings are on both sides/edges. Four beads (x2 red, x1 white and x1 blue) are each individually attached to one of the four peripheral lashings. The upper or crowning area of the selu shows the truncation of tuāniu just above the mid-section, except for five tuāniu in the centre. The five remaining tuāniu is extended vertically and is the basis for more embellishments in which it is intertwined with orange, mustard, red, blue and purple vulu.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1949.146Accession Date: 1949Description: Selu. Comb. This particular type of comb may also be referred to as selu tuiga. This comb is of Samoa and made for the purposes of adorning the hair, primarily for female but…

Description: Te katau. Waist ornament. Ornamental girdle. This is a girdle made to be worn around the waist by women. It is made of te kora (coconut sennit fibre cordage), te nana (coconut shell) and te nouo (cone shell; conus). The kora is mid brown in colour and has been used to thread a series of small circular discs of te nana. A section of the threaded dark brown te nana has been divided by two off-white circular discs of te nouo creating an alternating pattern across the length of te katau. The discs vary in circumference and matte in surface texture. A small circular perforation has been drilled into the centre of the discs where the kora has been threaded through. It has been fastened in one place and left with a short selvege of te kora. It is very long in length.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1940.90Accession Date: 1940Description: Te katau. Waist ornament. Ornamental girdle. This is a girdle made to be worn around the waist by women. It is made of te kora (coconut sennit fibre cordage), te nana (coconut…

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.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 2004.78.32Accession Date: 04 Aug 2004Description: 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…

Description: Ili. Fan. This is a hand woven 'ili. The lau (blade) has been lalaga (woven) from lau niu. Braided lapalapa (solid central part of the coconut leaf) forms the spine of the 'au (handle). The lau is shaped like a diamond and is coloured a natural light brown. This colour would have been achieved by drying the lau niu out in the sun. The 'ili is undecorated however one side of the lau is dotted with random dark brown marks. This type of 'ili would have been used every day to keep cool or to keep flies away from food.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1932.237Accession Date: 1932Description: Ili. Fan. This is a hand woven 'ili. The lau (blade) has been lalaga (woven) from lau niu. Braided lapalapa (solid central part of the coconut leaf) forms the spine of the 'au…

Description: Helu. Comb. Helu (comb) or helu tu'aniu (coconut midrib comb) as they are commonly referred to, are ornamental combs which are worn by females in Tonga. They are a popular personal adornment amongst Tongan women and girls alike, and rose to popularity in the 18th century. Helu are primarily made from tu'aniu (coconut midrib), bound with pulu'i niu (coconut husk) and decorated with beads. Helu can also be made from other materials such as wood and tortoise shell and are ornately carved. This helu is rectangular in shape with a long extended tip. The tu'aniu is lashed with brown pulu'i niu, there is a thick section of lashing before the tu'aniu individually flares out at the bottom. At the top of the helu there are zig zag designs which have been lashed with black dyed pulu'i niu. The middle two tu'aniu extend from the top edge for app 15cms, this would be clearly visible when worn.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1969.94Accession Date: 24 Apr 1969Description: Helu. Comb. Helu (comb) or helu tu'aniu (coconut midrib comb) as they are commonly referred to, are ornamental combs which are worn by females in Tonga. They are a popular…

Description: 'Ula sisi. Shell neck ornament. 'Ula sisi are a type of Samoan adornment, worn around the neck. It is worn on special occasions, as part of a dance attire and offered as gifts to family, friends and visitors. This 'ula is made up of sisi tai (seashell) and string. The sisi tai are miniature in size and off-white in colour. Each sisi tai have single perforations near the lip, allowing it to be strung on an off-white string.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1969.94Accession Date: 24 Apr 1969Description: 'Ula sisi. Shell neck ornament. 'Ula sisi are a type of Samoan adornment, worn around the neck. It is worn on special occasions, as part of a dance attire and offered as gifts…

Description: 'Ula sisi. Shell neck ornament. 'Ula sisi are a type of Samoan adornment, worn around the neck. It is worn on special occasions, as part of a dance attire and offered as gifts to family, friends and visitors. This 'ula is made up of sisi tai (seashell) and string. The sisi tai are miniature in size and off-white in colour. Each sisi tai have single perforations near the lip, allowing it to be strung on an off-white string.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1969.94Accession Date: 24 Apr 1969Description: 'Ula sisi. Shell neck ornament. 'Ula sisi are a type of Samoan adornment, worn around the neck. It is worn on special occasions, as part of a dance attire and offered as gifts…

Description: Kapa Kuiki, or Kihei Pili. Applique quilt. This kapa kuiki is large in size and rectangular in shape. It consists of an off-white background with cutwork salmon pink applique design overlaid. The design is based on a floral motif, possibly a breadfruit or lehua design. The backing colour is the same pink colour with a layer of batting between the front design and the base layer creating texture and volume. The design is hand-quilted with additional stitching across the surface of the quilt in a flowing, ribbed effect following the outlines of the pink applique design. There are areas of fraying fabric especially around the edges due to age. Some darker staining occurs around the perimeter of the kapa kuiki.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1996.154.1Accession Date: 06 Nov 1996Description: Kapa Kuiki, or Kihei Pili. Applique quilt. This kapa kuiki is large in size and rectangular in shape. It consists of an off-white background with cutwork salmon pink applique…

Description: Tagapila. Embroidered cushion cover. When Americans were based in Uvea during World War II, the nuns taught the locals embroidery. In the 1980s and 1990s it became very popular. Embroidered textiles were often made as gifts for weddings, funerals, and births. This tagapila is square in shape and features four red kaute (hibiscus) flowers. The stamens of the kaute point inwards towards the centre, indicating that this tagapila is from Uvea. Tagapila with flowers pointing outwards are from Futuna.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1996.201.8Accession Date: 12 Dec 1996Description: Tagapila. Embroidered cushion cover. When Americans were based in Uvea during World War II, the nuns taught the locals embroidery. In the 1980s and 1990s it became very…

Description: A small sherd of lapita pottery.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1969.202Accession Date: 1969Description: A small sherd of lapita pottery.

Description: Helu. Comb. Helu (comb) or helu tu'aniu (coconut midrib comb) as they are commonly referred to, are ornamental combs which are worn by females in Tonga. They are a popular personal adornment amongst Tongan women and girls alike, and rose to popularity in the 18th century. Helu are primarily made from tu'aniu (coconut midrib), bound with pulu'i niu (coconut husk) and decorated with beads. Helu can also be made from other materials such as wood and tortoise shell and are ornately carved. This is a helu tu'aniu, it is triangular in shape, the midsection is lashed with dark brown pulu'i niu and decorated with coloured beads. Above this, the extended triangular tip is made with three bound and decorated pieces of tu'aniu which meet at a point.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1972.166Accession Date: 22 Sep 1972Description: Helu. Comb. Helu (comb) or helu tu'aniu (coconut midrib comb) as they are commonly referred to, are ornamental combs which are worn by females in Tonga. They are a popular…

Description: 'Ie sina. Skirt; precious mat. This is a hand woven 'ie sina made of fau (hibiscus fibre). The 'ie sina is a light beige colour with a red stain located towards the middle of the 'ie sina. It is rectangular in shape when laid flat. The fau has been refined by scraping, water treatments and exposure. Each fibre has been organized carefully to be woven into its mat-like state. The fibres are used as tag-like attachments in order to create the shaggy-like surface. The 'ie sina has a fibrous texture. 'Ie sina are very rare and were worn by women of high rank upon their wedding ceremony.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1969.94Accession Date: 24 Apr 1969Description: 'Ie sina. Skirt; precious mat. This is a hand woven 'ie sina made of fau (hibiscus fibre). The 'ie sina is a light beige colour with a red stain located towards the middle of…

Description: Helu. Comb. Helu (comb) or helu tu'aniu (coconut midrib comb) as they are commonly referred to, are ornamental combs which are worn by females in Tonga. They are a popular personal adornment amongst Tongan women and girls alike, and rose to popularity in the 18th century. Helu are primarily made from tu'aniu (coconut midrib), bound with pulu'i niu (coconut husk) and decorated with beads. Helu can also be made from other materials such as wood and tortoise shell and are ornately carved. This helu is carved from wood, it is flat and has a small handle and thirteen teeth, cylindrical in shape and pointed at the end.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1944.91Accession Date: 1944Description: Helu. Comb. Helu (comb) or helu tu'aniu (coconut midrib comb) as they are commonly referred to, are ornamental combs which are worn by females in Tonga. They are a popular…

Description: Helu. Comb. Helu (comb) or helu tu'aniu (coconut midrib comb) as they are commonly referred to, are ornamental combs which are worn by females in Tonga. They are a popular personal adornment amongst Tongan women and girls alike, and rose to popularity in the 18th century. Helu are primarily made from tu'aniu (coconut midrib), bound with pulu'i niu (coconut husk) and decorated with beads. Helu can also be made from other materials such as wood and tortoise shell and are ornately carved. This is a helu tu'aniu which has a thick band of pulu'i niu lashing, which not only serves to hold the helu together but also has a decorative purpose. There are also coloured beads which decorate the face of the helu.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Date: UnknownDescription: Helu. Comb. Helu (comb) or helu tu'aniu (coconut midrib comb) as they are commonly referred to, are ornamental combs which are worn by females in Tonga. They are a popular…

Description: Helu. Comb. Helu (comb) or helu tu'aniu (coconut midrib comb) as they are commonly referred to, are ornamental combs which are worn by females in Tonga. They are a popular personal adornment amongst Tongan women and girls alike, and rose to popularity in the 18th century. Helu are primarily made from tu'aniu (coconut midrib), bound with pulu'i niu (coconut husk) and decorated with beads. Helu can also be made from other materials such as wood and tortoise shell and are ornately carved. This is a helu tu'aniu which has a point at the top that tapers outwards towards the bottom. The top half of this helu features a thick band of lashed tu'aniu as well as other decoratively lashed motifs throughout. This helu features two triangular cut outs towards the top.

Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Date: UnknownDescription: Helu. Comb. Helu (comb) or helu tu'aniu (coconut midrib comb) as they are commonly referred to, are ornamental combs which are worn by females in Tonga. They are a popular…