Tauvae (ankle ornament)

This is a tauvae or anklet that is worn as a dance accessory. It is made from large brown and flat elliptical seeds known as tupe (Entada scandens). These seeds come from the pods of a climbing called fue`afa which are also used in games and to create necklaces.To make the anklet the seeds were cut in half and attached to short strips of bark cloth. These were then fixed to a separate strip that was tied around the ankle. The dangling hollow seeds rattled as the dancer moved around.

Distinctive sound

In the late 1920’s, the style was for males to wear a single seed on each hanging strip whereas women would wear two. Occasionally, this type of anklet can still be found, but is tied together with afa or strips of imported cloth. In another contemporary version from the 1990s, bottle tops are strung together, but they still produce a distinctive rattling sound which is the required accompaniment in a dance.

Acquisition history

This tauvae is part of a small collection of jewellery, ornaments and textiles that belonged to Percy Williams, founding headmaster (1924–27) of Avele Agricultural School and teacher (1928–31) at Malifa School, Samoa. Many of Samoa’s future leaders attended these schools, benefiting from the foundations that Williams helped to establish. These items were donated to Te Papa by Barbara Williams in 1986.