Art of Adornment In the South Seas
Figure: 2
Royal Hawaiian Pendant "Lei Niho Palaoa"
These adornments (shown in figure 2) were worn only by the Hawaiian chief and both men and woman of high society rank "Ali'i". The carved, polished, tongue shaped sperm whale tooth or walrus tusk pendant, is said to represent a ceremonial fishhook that is worn in parts of Polynesia, or as some believe, a stylized head with its tongue extended, as seen in the Moari art. These pendants are suspended by multiple finely braided human hair.
Figure: 3
"Hei-Tiki" New Zealand, Jade, with braided flax cord, secured by a bird bone toggle and Paua shell eye (shown in figure 3).
These valued pendants, as per Moari custom, were buried with their dead, who then exhumed the bones of a relative for reburial, so the treasured heirloom "Hei-Tiki" is passed on to future generations, enhancing it's "mana", prestige, magical and creative powers with age. Chiefs and both men and woman of great importance only, wear the "Hei-Tiki". They are always depicted as female and said to represent the Goddess of childbirth.
Figure: 4
Kina Gold Lip pendant from New Guinea with plant fiber attachment (shown in figure 4), both rubbed with red ochre. These pendants were a display of wealth and are still worn on public occasions. They are regarded as a form of currency and play an important role in marriage negotiations and bride price. The Kina Gold Lip Shell is hard to obtain and mythology has it that they contain healing powers.
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