Tabua

A tabua is a polished tooth of a sperm whale that is an important cultural item in Fijian society. They were traditionally given as gifts for atonement or esteem (called sevusevu), and were important in negotiations between rival chiefs. The dead men would be buried with their tabua, along with war clubs and even their strangled wives, to help them in the afterlife. Originally they were very rare items, available only from beached whales and from trade from neighbouring Tonga (where the practice may have originated), but when the market became known in the early 19th century thousands of teeth, and fake teeth made from ivory and walrus tusks entered the market. This trade led to the development of the European art of scrimshaw.

Today the tabua remains an important item in Fijian life. They are not sold but traded regularly as gifts in weddings, birthdays, and at funerals. The tabua is also increasingly used in advertising as a trusted symbol or brand, for example Fiji Airways has a Tabua Club (frequent flyer) and a Tabua Class for business class. They also feature on the Fijian 20 cent piece. The removal of tabua from Fiji is highly restricted, at 225 exports per year, and permits from the Ministry of Fijian Affairs, the Fijian Department of Environment, and CITES are required, as they are regulated both as an endangered species and a cultural item. As such, they can easily command prices above $500.

Tabua, Madeira

Tabua is a parish in the municipality of Ribeira Brava in the island of Madeira. It is located on the south coast, west of Funchal. The population in 2011 was 1,156, in an area of 11.03 km². The municipality has a road which connects Calheta with Funchal, the capital, by road . The municipality of Ponta do Sol is to the west, and the municipality of São Vicente is to the north. On its southern border, the municipality borders the Atlantic.

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Tabua (disambiguation)

Tabua is a polished sperm whale tooth, an important cultural item in Fijian society.

Tabua or Tábua may also refer to: