Te bure

Te Bure. Egg cowrie shell. This example of te bure (egg cowrie shell) is white in colour with a naturally matte surface, although there are areas of darker discolouration. The interior of the bure is orange in colour. There is a big circular hole near the lip. Te bure can be used as a decorative accessory and considered as a good luck charm for a waa (outrigger canoe).

Ingoa Kōrero Noa

Adornment

Ingoa Kē

Canoe ornament of cowrie shell (English)

Wāhi

Beru/Gilbert Islands/Kiribati

Accession Number

1936.295

Rā Tāpiringa

1936

Tohu Tuakiri Kē

24088.2 (ethnology)

41 (Maude Collection)

Wāhanga

Pacific