Context (CMS Context)
Note on catalogue card: " Codrington (The Melanesians), p324) mentions the case of fowl feathers as currency on Gava and Merelava, but wrongly states that shells are not found there; in fact shell money is extensively made in W. Gava (La Kona). It is not recoreded elsewhere in the New Hebrides or Banks, but is not similar to the feather money of Santa Cruz. This piece was used in a Koleole ceremony (cf. Rivers), and is called wetapup, acquired by killing a pig from a stone brought from the seashore. It is worn as an armband, or anklet, and valued at £1 sterling by its owner. A similar length of shell money, which is ten times the work to prepare, and just as difficult to collect now, is worth 11/ (one shilling)."
Event Date 1/6/1996
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Feather money. This object is of great value. It is traded from Merelava to Gava. Sometimes it is made from the feathers of shearwaters (pterudiona) which breed on the volcanic sides of Merelava, and act as seasonal indicators, passing in uncontrollable hoards in November. This specimen is made from the softest breast feathers of fowls, dyed with nese leaf. This feather money is apparently of more recent design, and high privilege. It is not recorded elsewhere in the New Hebrides or Banks, but is not similar to the feather money of Santa Cruz. This piece was used in a Koleole ceremony (cf. Rivers), and is called wetapup, acquired by killing a pig from a stone brought from the seashore.
Event Date 1/6/1996
Author: maa