charm

Lover's charm (Bedamuni: ténébu). This charm is made by young men to attract the attention of young women whom they like. The material is ténébu or arrowshaft reed (Japanese Silvergrass, Miscanthus floridulus).

When a girl is busy beating sago in the forest, she might find a ténébu near her working place. She will pick it up and she will be curious to know how it was made and which boy put it there. As a result she will not have time to make sago and will return to the village with an empty sago bag. This, at least, is the idea as formulated by the young men.

This example was made by Fasia.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
1982.49i
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 220 mm x 45 mm x 15 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
Japanese silvergrass
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
World Gallery > Oceania > Bedamuni
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Collection Information

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