Context (CMS Context)
1967.52-73 - General note on shell valuables and ornaments: In pre-European times shells percolated into the Highlands by various native routes from coastal areas. Thus pearlshells (1967.64-72) entered the Highlands from the Papuan Gulf, but also via the Sepik river or Ramu; bailer shells (1967.56-7) from the Gulf via Ialibu; nassa shells (1967.58-61) also from this route (they are reported in the Lake Kutubu area, Williams 1940) and from the north and east via Sepik and Wahgi rivers, which was also the direction of cowries (1967.62-63). Green snail shells came from the east, along the Wahgi valley (1967.52-55). From the advent of Europeans in 1933, shells increased in numbers: Europeans used them to pay wages and as currency and later sold pearlshells outright in their stores. By the 1960s however Australian currency (money) had become the medium for all European-Hagener transactions. Pearlshells for sale varied in price from A$2-7, bailers and whole green-snail shells from A$3-5, and conus shells (no example) A$2-4. Cowries were obtained by labour, 5 or 10 being paid for a day's work in pre-war days, and till the 1950s labourers might be paid at the rate of one or two pearlshells a month. Nassa shells were obtained through sale, at a rate of approximately 10 shells for as many pounds (weight) of sweet potatoes. The Hageners absorbed this influx of shells in their transactions, and nowadays lament that they can no longer obtain new pearl shells easily, since the Europeans no longer deal in shells. Nevertheless, different varieties of shells have undergone varying degrees of inflation and there have been changes in their relative popularity over the last 30 years. Thus cowrie ropes and nassa mats (1967.61,63) were in the past used extensively in moka ceremonial exchange where nowadays (1964-5) only pearlshells are given (1967.70-72). Because of these fluctuations, no attempt has been made here to give a systematic account of the 'values' of the various shell items. Unless specified any notes on this topic refer to the present period.
Event Date 1/6/1998
Author: Remke Velden

Description (CMS Description)
One of four large nassa-shell mats. These were used as valuables in bridewealth, moka and compensation payments in the Buk area till c.1960 although their popularity had begun to wane by the mid 1950s, and earlier in the Kelua area near Mount Hagen township. Europeans paid for vegetables with handfuls of these shells, and men say what hard work it was to accumulate enough shells for a mat. Mat B (c. 8 1/2" x 24") has about 2200 shells in it. They are all made with bark backing. In some dances women used to wear pela oi tied to their aprons so that these flapped as they moved and bent their knees in the dance. Like the cowrie ropes (1967.63) the 'mats' may be ficticiously divided in the centre, hence the special patterning of the shells.
Event Date 1/6/1998
Author: Remke Velden