Moana Oceania - Solomon Islands - Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi
SOLOMON ISLANDS
Mala'ita
Manu uo
Manu uo, a bird-shaped ornament, possibly of much spiritual significance to a asi (salt-water) tribal group from the island of Mala‘ita in the Solomon Islands. It is made of wood with trochus shell inlay. As a manu uo, it is used as a centre piece of a fishnet especially one owned by a fata-abu (priest). It would have been collected in the late nineteenth century and is now looked after by Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Collection of Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, 15602.
Illustration by Cecelia Faumuina
“Kwaia Tala, clearing the first path”
Ala lā, Tok Stori Talanoa with Dr Kabini Sanga
On 24 February 2020, Lagi-Maama (Toluma‘anave Barbara Makuati-Afitu & Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tuai), met up with Dr Kabini Sanga in Wellington. Our tok stori started out at Arabica Café and when that closed we moved to PappaRich, both located on Grey Street. Our enriching tok stori was followed up with conversations via email and relevant published papers provided to Lagi-Maama by Dr Sanga. Read more