Te mwae ni wi n aomata

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.

Ingoa Kē

Neck ornament of human teeth (English)

Wāhi

Kiribati

Accession Number

1985.46

Rā Tāpiringa

1985

Tohu Tuakiri Kē

51506 (ethnology)

Wāhanga

Pacific