Tabua (Whale teeth)

Tabua. An iyau (treasure) of high cultural value to Fijians. A collection of ceremonial whale's teeth each with a hole drilled at their tip for suspension from the same braided cord. Sourced from a tovuto (sperm whale), the six tabua are curved and tapered towards their tip, and ovoid in cross section. The tabua are highly polished and a yellow-brown colour, possibly enhanced through a smoking technique. Several fine scratches and nicks visible on their surface. Four tabua have a hollow open cavity that are conical in shape and dark brown colour. The suspension cord is braided from plant fibre strands of natural and black-dyed colours. Each tabua is attached to the main suspension cord by short plant fibre pieces threaded through each drilled hole and secured.