A Fijian Bamboo Headrest ( Kali Ni Bitu ) with palm-wood feet attached by lengths of plaited sinnet
A Fijian Bamboo Headrest ( Kali Ni Bitu ) with palm-wood feet attached by lengths of plaited sinnet
Mid – Late 19 th Century
Size : 14 cm high , 46 cm long – 5½ ins high , 18 ins long
Mid – Late 19 th Century
Size : 14 cm high , 46 cm long – 5½ ins high , 18 ins long
It is said that Fijian headrests were used to preserve the complex and complicated hairstyles of men of high status . However it is known that 'Kali' were reserved for chiefly use and this could relate to the more ornate coiffure affected by chiefs , as well as the 'Mana' or spiritual power which all Polynesians believed surrounded the head of chiefly people like an aura . The chiefly head was therefore 'Tabu' and must at all costs be kept off the ground .
A Fijian Bamboo Headrest ( Kali Ni Bitu ) with palm-wood feet attached by lengths of plaited sinnet
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