Tabua. A ceremonial whale's tooth with a hole drilled at its tip and base areas and a braided suspension cord attached. An iyau (treasure) of high cultural value to Fijians. Sourced from a tovuto (sperm whale), the tabua is a curved horn shape, and tapered at its tip. Ovoid in cross section. The outer surface of the tabua is highly polished and a cream colour. Several scratches and nicks on the tabua's surface that are a deep brown colour. The rim around the base of the tabua is jagged and chipped. The hollow inner cavity reaches up into the middle interior of the tabua and is conical in shape and brown in colour. The dark coloured double twin cord is tied to plant fibre that is threaded through each of the drilled holes.