Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 2013-0002-0001   CAS 2013-0002-0001; Poi pounder
Category Culinary Items; Tools & Implements
Object Name Poi pounder
Culture Polynesian: Hawaiian
Global Region Oceania
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Hawaii
County
Other Geographic Data Island: Kauai
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. late 1800s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Vesicular basalt
Description Stirrup-style poi pounder chipped and pecked to shape from a single piece of basalt and used for pounding of taro root in the preparation of poi; Grinding surface is rectangular with rounded ends and convex in cross-section; Upper sides taper inward at ends and along sides, rising to a cylindrical U-shaped handle that is smoothly pecked on all surfaces, except for a small median ridge in the saddle of the handle; Grinding surface is partially worn smooth from extended use; Color is gray-brown. Some researchers think this type of tool, known only from Kauai, was not a poi pounder, but instead a weight used to hold down large kapa sheets when they were laid out to dry.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 13.8, Width = 16.8, Depth = 8.8