FIJI FUN FACTS 26

TABUA

Tabua is a highly prized possesion within the Fijian culture.  Teeth extracted from the upper jaw of a sperm whale were regarded with reverence, perhaps the most important of the Fijian valuables. Presenting another person, family, or tribal group with a tabua is the ultimate symbol of respect generally involving kava ceremonies.  Acceptance of a tooth presented to a chief bound him to the request made with the tooth, such as a desired course of action.  They were also made as presentations in marriage and as tokens of personal esteem.

The tooth is prepared by being scraped clean, sanded with coral sand, oiled then polished with the leaves of the masi ni tabua tree.  The polished tabua was often stained with cargo or tumeric to give it a deep orange colour. Alternatively this end result was obtained by smoking the tooth over a smouldering fire of sugar can or masawe roots. Once prepared the tooth was wrapped properly and put into a kato or basket with a polished stone called a "tina ni tabua". A plaited chord of magimagi or pandanus leaf was attached to each end of the tooth. Before the sperm whales the early Fijians used tabua made from the buabua or kura tree.

English          Fijian
I am hungry    Au viakana
I am thirsty    Au viagunu