A set of ouoho ornaments consisting of a small cape (or pectoral), two poe i'ima bras and a poe vaevae anklet. Made of human hair, and therefore charged with mana because it comes from the head, the center of spiritual power, these ornaments were worn by male and female dancers during festivities, as well as by high-ranking men. The ankle ornaments are called poe vaevae, and the arm ornaments are called poe i'ima. They were attached by a tapa tie, either tied or passed through the loops of a coconut fiber necklace. These ouoho ornaments were made by a specialist, and the hair gathered to make them could come from relatives, but also from defeated enemies. The invincible warrior who never lost his poe vaevae in battle was known as a vae ouoho, meaning "hair on his paws". Note that the two poe i'ima of this ancient group still both have their tapa braided cords. Marquesas Islands Human hair, coconut pericarp fibers, tapa, old oxidation and patina. D. 45 cm to approx. 25 cm (from widest to highest) See p. 217 n° 374 in: James Cook et la Découverte du Pacifique, Ed. Imprimerie Nationale 2009 See p. 113 in: Ta'aroa L'Univers Polynésien, P. et F. de Deckker, Crédit Communal, Bruxelles 1982 Provenance : Jean Roudillon Collection