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Melanesia, Solomon Islands, Island of Malaita, Tafuliae

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Melanesia, Solomon Islands, Island of Malaita, Tafuliae (obverse) Melanesia, Solomon Islands, Island of Malaita, Tafuliae (reverse)

This lovely form of shell money is called Tafuliae. Our example comes from the island of Malaita, one of the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. It consists of ten strands of red, white and black disks – about 1300 individual pieces in all. Tafuliae are still part of the bride price on Malaita; only new creations can be used, old Tafuliae are not accepted.

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Signet Sunflower Foundation