Close message Scootle has stopped supporting resources that use the Adobe Flash plug-in from 18 Dec 2020. Learning paths that include these resources will have alerts to notify teachers and students that one or more of the resources will be unavailable. Click here for more info.
Back to search results
Tabua (ceremonial whale tooth), c1800s

Image Tabua (ceremonial whale tooth), c1800s

TLF ID R6105

This tabua, a kapkap (a forehead or shoulder ornament), is a large, cream-coloured whale tooth, originating from Fiji in the 19th century. It is perforated at the tip and the base for suspension. Its suspension cord is a tight, complex plait of sennit (coconut fibre) with ornamental knots at 2-3 cm intervals. Nine ornamental bands of pandanus leaf, about 1.0 cm wide, are dotted around the cord. The tooth measures 16.8 cm (h) x .70 cm (w) x 5.5 cm (d), and including the cord it measures 32.0 cm x 16.0 cm.

View resource


Educational details

Educational value
  • The tooth is an example of tabua, objects considered by Fijians to be kavakaturanga or 'chiefly things' - tabua are not worn but are presented at important ceremonies, such as births, marriages and funerals; they are also presented when personal contracts or agreements are entered into, and are used to represent an apology and symbol of reconciliation after a disagreement.
  • Tabua can be used to signal acceptance or rejection - if one is presented as a marriage token, acceptance would be spiritually binding; if a marriage proposal has been rejected, the girl's family must reciprocate with double the number of tabua presented by the prospective groom's family.
  • Some tabua were carved from wood, however the tabua pictured is made from a sperm whale tooth, and whale teeth were preferred - in both Fiji and Tonga, the teeth from the lower jaw of the sperm whale were especially prized; this tooth is from a male sperm whale that was probably more than 4 m long.
  • As a tabua made from a whale tooth, this asset is a rare object because whale stranding was relatively uncommon - the concept of whale teeth as valuable was first introduced to Fiji from Tonga at the end of the 18th century; however, long before whales' teeth were valued, Fijians placed special value on other objects, such as rare shells, for important presentations.
  • This tabua is an object of spiritual and moral value - its significance far outweighs its 'market' value.
  • As well as its historical value, the tabua still holds an indispensable place in social and economic life in modern Fiji - a tabua is featured on the Fijian 20-cent coin.
Topics Ivory carving Social customs Physical characteristics (Animals)

Other details

Contributors
  • Contributor
  • Name: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
  • Organization: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
  • Description: Content provider
  • Address: Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
  • URL: http://www.tepapa.govt.nz
  • Name: Education Services Australia
  • Organization: Education Services Australia
  • Description: Data manager
  • Copyright Holder
  • Name: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
  • Organization: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
  • Address: Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
  • Publisher
  • Name: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Organization: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Description: Publisher
  • Address: VIC, AUSTRALIA
  • URL: http://www.esa.edu.au
  • Resource metadata contributed by
  • Name: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Organisation: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Address: AUSTRALIA
  • URL: www.esa.edu.au
Access profile
  • Colour independence
  • Device independence
  • Hearing independence
Learning Resource Type
  • Image
Rights
  • © Education Services Australia Ltd and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 2013, except where indicated under Acknowledgements