Helen Dennet has most generously shared the following photos that were taken while visiting Papua New Guinea in 1984. Seen below are photos of various New Guinea natives wearing their tribal costumes. These are just a few of the costumes which incorporate the use of shells by the local tribes.
Shells used for ornaments are usually worked with traditional string (made from various sorts of bark) and are hand-woven by the women.
The kina, New Guinea currency and the tabu (shell
currency) are both used in some areas of New Guinea. It is thought
that the kina was named after the gold-lip pearl shell which is the most
highly prized shell by the various cultural groups. Too learn more about
tabu, visit the
Money - Traditional
Tolai Tabu web Page.
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Today, the currency of Papua New Guinea is made up of Kina (keena) and toea (toya) with 100 toea equal to One Kina. Live
mid-market rates as of 2003.02.28
17:36:21 GMT. |
Shell back ornament worn by a man from the Morobe Province
Shell bridewealth veil worn by a Sepik River woman
Cut shell crescent ornaments worn by a woman from the Chimbu Province.
These shell crescents are called kina and are a form of traditional
currency.
Today Papua New Guinea’s main currency unit is named the kina,
after this shell.
Mouth ornament worn by a man from the Madang Province
Shell mask worn by a Malala man from the Madang Province
Shell ornaments worn by a Melpa woman from the Western Highlands
Province
Cut cone shell ornaments worn by a Sepik River woman