Long-sleeved costume with long trousers made of knotted coconut fibre

Description:

To protect themselves from shark teeth inlaid weapons, Kiribati warriors wore armour made from knotted coconut bark fibre. Sometimes human hair was incorporated into the knotwork. The equipment usually consisted of a jacket, trousers and a helmet (made of puffer or spiny fish) with ear protection. In addition, a high neck guard was worn, to protect against stones that the women threw at the enemy from behind. Sometimes the rock-hard dried skin of rays was wrapped around the belly for extra protection. The whole outfit was so heavy that in battle the warrior had a helper to carry his weapons for him. Because the equipment is so unusual for the region of Micronesia, it is believed that it was probably an outside influence.‖ The indigenous people of Kiribati were described in early European eyewitness accounts as particularly warlike. Family and clan groups fought each other constantly, and expeditions to other islands were organized. Warfare was highly ritualised and the two groups met at an agreed location in a fixed formation with the women, children, elderly and unarmed men looking on. They often supported their warriors by, for example, throwing stones at the enemy. The traditional warfare was not necessarily aimed at killing the enemy, so that conflicts could drag on for years if no compensation was paid. Hostilities were countered under British colonial rule and later by Christian missionaries. The weapons and defensive equipment for which this island group became so famous have therefore long since disappeared.

Format:

image

Collections:

National Museum of World Cultures Foundation

Content partner:

National Museum of World Cultures Foundation

Availability:

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