Canoe Crests

[john sefton]

The Gilbert and Ellice Islands canoe crests show just how the design can be done without detracting from ship or crest. The origin of these canoe crests goes back to the early ancestors of the tribes concerned and were historically confined to the "navigating clans". They were traditionally sported at the peak of the sail, the exception being shown on the 35c. stamp where it was lashed in an upright position on the outrigger float. To some of the crests are attached traditions indicative of their great antiquity.
The 3c. stamp shows the Te Mataaua Crest of the Buatara family, the totem symbolising a small sting¬ray. The family claims descent from the fair-skinned and fair-haired goddess Tituaa-bine, whose chosen creatures at sea were the giant ray and the sting-ray. The crest is a representation of the ray; the tuft of feathers at the peak being the mouth, those on the cross-piece the eyes, and the vertical pole the spine of the fish.
The design of the 10c. depicts the crest belonging to the Benuaa-kura clan, and signifies a marine worm. The tribal tale explaining its origin relates that its streamer was once made of the red feathers of a fierce bird in Roro, the traditional home of the earliest ancestor. The crest is named Te Nima wawa.
On the 35c. stamp is seen the Taratara-venei-na, the crest of one of the Tituaa-bine or sting-ray families. While all the other crests are worn aloft, this is a strange exception, the name of the crest being self-explanatory when translated. It means "Watch the wake of it". It is also occasionally called "the crest that never sleeps" because while all other crests are furled when sail and mast are lowered, this remains always in its upright position on the outrigger.
The crest depicted on the 50c stamp is the Te Bou-uoua, a name which means "two-tufted", the crest sported by certain families of the clan of Karongo-a. The tradition connected with the crest explains that the tufts represent human heads, which were the favourite food of the clan-god, Teuribaba. The heads are said to have been taken from the first born children of certain districts of Samoa.
Sea Breezes June 1974
Gilbert and Ellice Islands G227 228 229 230.