Julie Shearer: Tanoa Bowl at Yaqona Ceremony

Artist: Julie Shearer
1938 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1980
Image Size: 9 by 7.75 inches
Overall Size: 15.25 by 12 inches
Medium: Water Color on Water Color Paper

Among the most important ceremonial artforms of Fiji is the creation of the sacred Tanoa Bowl. This large, carved wooden bowl is used in the traditional Yaqona Ceremony of Welcome. Often, the bowl itself has been handed down for generations. But other times, the skilled artisans of the island of Kambara are employed to fashion a new one. Having acquired their trade from the knowledge of their ancestors, these carvers carefully craft each bowl for its specific use. First, with the utmost of care, they select trunks of the vesi tree. Then, the chosen hardwood trunks are cut in such a way that two large bowls can be created from every three-foot section. Bowls often have a radius of two or three feet and each is made only in response to a specific need. Some Tanoa Bowls are simply designed, with eight or ten legs, while others are beautifully carved in the shape of turtles or other symbolic emblems. At the ceremony, the precious yaqona, root of a pepper plant, is mixed in the Tanoa Bowl, to form Kava. The guest of honor sits cross-legged some distance away. The cup-bearer then pours the first drink into the bowl of the honored guest, who drains it in a single drought. Whereupon the hosts crys "maca" (empty) and clap their hands. The master of ceremonies is next to drink, then cups are handed to senior guests in order of rank. In Fiji, this act of giving Kava signifies acceptance of the visitor into the community and receiving it shows the visitor's respect for the peoples' customs and way of life.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Fiji 20¢ 10th Anniversary of Independence stamp issued October 6, 1980.

Artwork Copyright © 1980 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB06640

US$ Price: $950.00

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