TAKA JEWELRY

The taka is a sacred piece of jewellery from Ngada, Central Flores which is worn by men and women alike, either as the centrepiece of a necklace, or hung on a cloth headcover. It is a family heirloom, passed down from one generation to the next, and it serves as an important part of the wedding dowry. The people of Flores believe in the supernatural powers of the taka which may only be taken out and used during daytime, and only after a pig has been slaughtered as a sacrificial offering. The pig's blood is sprinkled on the taka, and the ancestors are asked for permission to use the ornament for specific ceremonial purposes.