Bird bowl

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Description

wood, black patina, mother-of-pearl-inlay, representing a frigate bird, holding a fish (shark or bonito) in the beak, on foot, slightly dam.:
such bowls were used in food ceremonies to contain food stuffs.
The “bonito” cult was a primary focus of cultural activity in this part of the Solomon Islands. Not only was catching the bonito a spiritual activity, but relations with other sacred animals, especially frigate birds and sharks, were important to the cult.

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Comparing literature

Burt, Ben, Body ornaments of Malaita, Solomon Islands, London 2009, p. 94 f.

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