Unbekannt

The woman is wearing a frayed siapo mamanu (beaten and marked bark cloth) and ‘ula fala around her waist. Adornments include a pale (wreath), a glass bead necklace, an ’ula nifo and an ‘ula fala around her shoulders. Her upper body is uncovered. The man to her right, who appears short in stature, is carrying a fue (fly whisk), likely signifying that he is a tulafale (orator). A piece of siapo is tied around his waist, covering his loins and the top of his thighs. He has a little fern tucked behind each ear. While the inscription does not elaborate on his identity, he may be the woman’s brother. In Fa’asāmoa the connection between brother and sister is considered sacred and is called feagaiga.

Author: Charlotte Klinge, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa