Summary
On the Gilbert Islands (in the Republic of Kiribati) young boys were instructed in the arts of war from an early age. In particular they were taught how to handle swords and knives with edges lined with sharks' teeth. Special clothing, made from coconut fibre and woven into a suit of armour, protected the combatants. The dried skin of a Puffer Fish made an adequate helmet to protect the head during combat, while dried shark and ray skin provided protection for other exposed parts of the body.
Physical Description
A weapon made of a central section of wood with multiple rows of shark teeth tied on, and two smaller pieces with shark teeth tied along the edges.
More Information
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Object/Medium
Sword
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Maker
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Locality
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Date Produced
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Date Collected
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Object Measurements
1175 mm (Length), 390 mm (Width), 80 mm (Height)
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Keywords
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Type of item
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Discipline
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Category
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Collecting Areas