Te Buangui. Whale tooth. This buangui is fashioned from part of a whale tooth that has been split down its length on two sides, and is crecent-shaped in form. Consequently one side of the tooth is rounded while the remaining two sides are flat. The rounded side of the tooths exterior is smooth surfaced but dull. It is brown in colour and features some small marks and spots. The other two sides of the exterior are glossy and smooth in texture but also feature projecting ridges that are a by-product of the tooth not being split cleanly. There is also a shallow depression on one side created from the splitting of the cavity at the base of the tooth. The surface of this depression is grainy and texutred with small globules. The body of the tooth tapers to an extreme point and overall is brown in colour. Te Buangui could be used to make a Te Mwae (Neck ornament) that would adorn the body of a distinguished family member after they had passed away, and would be buried with them.