Tabua (ceremonial whale tooth)

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Title

Tabua (ceremonial whale tooth)

Content partner

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Collection

Te Papa Collections Online

Description

Tabua are pierced and braided whales' teeth, originally taken from the lower jaw of sperm whales found stranded on Fijian beaches. Because whale strandings are relatively rare in Fiji, whale teeth are highly valued. Spiritual value In Pacific Island society, some objects have a spiritual value that far outweighs their market value. In Fijian society, tabua are examples of this kind of object. Fijians consider tabua to be kavakaturanga (chiefly items). They are not worn, but are presented at ...

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Format

Image

Date created

1800s

URL

https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/161266

Related subjects

ceremonies / tooth / plant fibre / sennit / ivory / ceremonial objects / tabua / Rites & ceremonies / Fiji / Oceanic / Polynesian / Whales / exchange / Fijian / Robert Holmes

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