Necklace (lei niho palaoa) c. 1800 - 1850

This lei niho palaoa, or whale tooth pendant, was crafted by Kānaka Maoli, the Native Hawaiians. It features a pendant made of whale ivory suspended between strands of intricately woven human hair, a symbol deeply embedded in Hawaiian culture. The whale tooth, a rare and precious material, signifies power and status. Its presence evokes the life force, or mana, associated with whales, transferring this symbolic weight to the wearer. The strands of human hair, carefully braided and bound, suggest a connection to ancestors and lineage. Hair, in many cultures, is believed to hold a person's essence, acting as a conduit to the past. Consider the cyclical nature of materials: the whale, the human, the braided cord, and the bond between the wearer and their heritage. This piece is not merely adornment, but a potent embodiment of memory, power, and ancestral connection. Its echoes can be found in other cultures, where precious materials and human remains serve as powerful symbols of continuity and identity.