mandible.pig

Lower jaw of domestic boar - tusks almost fully recurved. For ceremonial use. 'A man's whole life at Santo depends upon the pig. Chieftanship is not hereditary in the north as in the south of New Hebrides group. If a man kills eleven pigs with circular tusks, he becomes a high chief, and takes his rank accordingly in next world. Sows are only fit for females.' (Reid 1912, p286).

Early: 1800 Late: 1905

bone pig.tooth (several)

L: 260 mm W: 120 mm

Melanesia Vanuatu Santo

Power depended upon the acquisition of wealth with which to buy advancement in exclusive graded societies. The standard form of wealth was pigs with exceptionally long and circular lower canine tusks, caused by the artificial removal of the upper grinders.