Palaoa Necklace Carved from Water Buffalo Horn

The Palaoa Necklace (Lei Niho Palaoa) was worn usually by the aristocratic class.  Rank of an individual was marked by extravagent garments or ornaments.  Men and women wore it on ceremonial occasions and men wore it during battle.  Because this ornament was believed to carry a mans essence and power (mana), it was important for an enemy to take possession of his niho palaoa in order to remove his spirit when killed in battle.

These hook shaped pendants were orignially carved from the tooth (niho) of sperm whale (palaoa) and later from Arctic walrus ivory.