Item X 12766 Container. Makira, Makira-Ulawa Province, Solomon Islands. 1905

Summary

Frigate birds and the bonito fish outlined in inlaid shell are icons representing the importance of the annual visit made by schools of bonito. The first bonito is considered sacred, and its arrival signals the time for ceremonial knowledge of this important fish to be imparted to young initiates on their way to adulthood. Fast canoes and well-prepared and maintained hooks and lines are essential elements of the specialised fishing technology of the Solomon Islands and allow islanders to take advantage of the arrival of the bonito.

Physical Description

A canoe shaped bowl made of single piece of wood inlaid with Nautilus shelll. The head of a frigate bird holding a bonito fish in its mouth is carved at one end. A frigate bird is inlaid in shell opposite sides of the bowl.