Herwig Simons

Medium / Material

Fidji Cannibal Fork Oceanis Tribal Ethnografic Antique For sale

Description

Forks were symbols of power and influence in Fijian society. Used only by chiefs and priests who were forbidden from touching food prepared by others with their hands. Among the most important ceremonies in which a chieftain would participate was the devouring of a tribal enemy in the hope that his power or energie would be transferred to the consumer. The religious ritual of Cannibalism was widespread until the late 1800s and in isolated incidents until the 1920s.