Ethnology of Manihiki and Rakahanga
Plate 11. Wooden Gongs and Historical Play
Plate 11. Wooden Gongs and Historical Play.
A. Double wooden gong (koriro) (6977): length of slot surface, 15.25 inches: width, middle of slot surface, 2.25 inches; width, ends of slot surface, 2.5 inches and 2.75 inches respectively; length of slot opening, 10 inches; width of slot opening, 0.9 inch to 1.1 inches; cavity depth, 2 inches; Ornamentation: six pearl-shell discs at either end, disc diameter, 0.4 inch: nicks cut on outer edges at ends, 17 to 20 nicks on each edge. side view: depth in middle, 5.1 inches; depth, ends, 5.2 and 5.4 inches; transverse longitudinal goroove midway down, constriction, 2.1 inches. Slot also on under surface of lower part.
B. Wodden gong (C. 2838): diameter from slot to bottom, 3.8 inches; cross diameter, 3 inches; ends slope down and outward outward slot surface, making upper length 14 inches and bottom length 16.5 inches; slot opening, 10.5 inches long and 1 inch wide; beating stick, 14.5 inches long, 0.9 inch in diameter, one end pointed.
C. Historical play, depicting discovery of Rakahanga; chief actor represents Huku, the discoverer; his body plastered over with light mud; wears headdress of netting and beard of coconut husk; plaited coconut leaf, supported as high as waist by cord passing over shoulder, represents canoe; coconut leaflet basket on ground represents upgrowth (topua) fished up from bottom of sea to become land; play took place on village road.