Ariki - Futunese Tribal Governing System

Item number 2832/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Ceramic pot with three vertical protrusions coming out of the top. The pot is round and glazed in multiple hues of brownish-grey. The pot is topped with three protrusions, into which three sanded and stained wood branch-like pieces (two slightly curved and one bent and curved at an angle between the other two) have been inserted and wrapped at their bases with light brown braided natural fibre twine. Each "branch" is topped with a curved wild-boar tusk.

Iconographic Meaning

According to the artist statement, the “raised poles” represent the three main tribes of Futuna Island: Namruke, Kawaiameta, and Fana. The pot represents Futuna Island and its people. The bent pole represents the Fana tribe which acts as a peacemaker between the other two tribes.