Bowl "tanoa 'ava" · Samoa · ID: 3051132
Erwin & Susanne Melchardt, Vienna, Austria
Description
wood,
This bowl can be seen hanging on the wall in an old photograph showing an office or living room of Baron C. von Vignau in Apia on Samoa. The picture was taken between 1902 and 1905, when von Vignau was a commercial attaché in Samoa.
This beautiful example of a ten-legged bowl was used for the ‘ava (=“kava”) ceremony, which is one of the most important customs on the Samoan islands. It is a solemn ritual in which a ceremonial beverage is shared to mark important occasions in Samoan society, e.g. the bestowal of “maitai” chiefly titles, at important gatherings or to welcome and bid farewell to guests.
The “aumaga”, ‘ava makers must follow etiquette and cultural protocol in the making and serving of the ‘ava. It is usually an honour to be selected for the ceremony.
Comparing literature
Kaeppler, Adrienne, Polynesia, Honolulu 2010, p. 261, ill. 197