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Adornments, |
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Region:
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Melanesia
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CCountry:
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Solomon Islands
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Island Group or Local Origin:
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Malaita, Kwaio
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Category:
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Personal Adornment, Jewelry
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Size:
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| These elegantly crafted adornments are unique to the Kwaio people who remain among the toughest most independent and traditional people in the Solomon Islands today. Combs are called faa or 'alabafaafae in the local language and are worn only by men. Sometimes magical objects are held by the comb to protect the wearer from sorcery. A wood base is carefully cut down to form the base shape which can be in several forms vary then natural vines are plaited in various patterns and wrapped over the base. Teeth from a bat or "Flying Fox" as they are called by the Kwaio adorn the outside of these elegant earrings. The red and yellow plaited stems are typical of decorations on other Kwaio objects, Collected in the Solomon Islands l984. Earrings of wild orchid fiber, yarn, seens and bats teeth. Men's ornamental hair combsof palm and wild orchid fiber | ||
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