Description: This is not technically a Tafuliae since it only consists of 6 strands that are 9' long containing nearly 11,000 tiny hand ground mollusk/cockle or clam shells, some of which have been heated to turn them orange (faroga) with two XXX shells as spacers on each end. This time consuming production of strings of shell are used for bride price, settlement of a conflict or punishment for a crime, and even for the purchase of commercial goods in some locations. The village of Langalanga on the central west coast in Malaita Province is the primary source for this style of shell currency which is still in use today. A time consuming process that now involves purchasing the shells from men from the village of Tarapaina who dive in the deeper waters of South Malaita and then sell shells to the village of Langalanga. All of the shells around Malaita have been depleted over the years, The complicated making of the currency involves chipping and shaping, drilling holes in the center, heating some of the shells, and then fine hand grinding each individual shell. Typical Tafuliae are about 30" long but can vary up to 7'. Different local villages and communities also have different names for these shell strings. Some are in the form of belts (fo'o'aba) worn around the waist or around the shoulders of both men and women. The last two photos are of a Kwara'ae male with a Tafuliae draped around his shoulders and the second photo is from Deborah Waite and Kevin Conru's book Solomon Islands Art displaying the Conru Collection. We are selling the last of our personal tribal and art collections.
Price: 200 USD
Location: Poulsbo, Washington
End Time: 2024-11-05T15:03:15.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Color: Multi-Color
Original/Reproduction: Original
Material: VARIOUS SHELLS
Culture: Pacific Islands & Oceania
