Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0477-0047   CAS 0477-0047; Belt
Category Accessories/Ornaments; Bead & Leatherwork
Object Name Belt
Culture Micronesian
Global Region Oceania
Country Federated States of Micronesia
State/Prov./Dist. Yap
County
Other Geographic Data Island: Fais or Woleai Atoll, Western Caroline Islands
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture 1976
Collection Name N/A
Materials Clam shell; Coconut shell (?); Sea turtle shell (tortoiseshell); Hibiscus fiber
Description Woman’s belt comprising nine side-by-side strands of white shell disk beads and dark brown coconut shell or turtle shell disk beads, all strung on hibiscus fiber cordage; Beads are strung in alternating brown and white blocks of color, separated by turtle shell spacer bars, to form geometric patterns; At each end, the hibiscus fibers on which the beads are strung become warp fibers and are woven in a twining technique using additional hibiscus fibers as the wefts, forming a small triangular area before the warp fibers are again recombined into three groups which are then braided together to form long end ties; Near the end of each tie, the fibers are tied off, leaving the remaining fibers as short fringe; According to original accession entry, this type of belt is worn for prestige and as a display of wealth.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 5.5, Thickness = 0.5, Length = ca. 154.0