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Tabua

Sperm whale teeth (Physeter macrocephalus) are still one of the most valuable gifts today. These gifts, known as tabua, are presented at marriage ceremonies, mourning ceremonies, apologies for offences, but also at important events as a sign of welcome or solidarity. In the past, whale teeth in Fiji were closely associated with divine power and the "chiefs" and were therefore regarded as the embodiment of the divine ancestors.

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Data Provider
Ethnologisches Museum
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Cataloguing data

Object type
Potted whale tooth as a gift
Dimensions
Gewicht: 564 g
Objektmaß: 33,4 x 8 x 8 cm
Material/Technique
Tooth (sperm whale), Plant fibre (coconut), Plant fibre
Current location
Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Inventory number
VI 49569

Provenance and sources

when
before 1968
where
Polynesia [Großregion]
Fiji [Land]

who
G. Kühn - Former Possessors

Description
Purchase from G. Kühn 1968

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