TAHITIAN FAU — UNVEILING AN ENIGMA

The Tahitian [2] fau, an imposing headdress over four feet (1.2m) in height, has received little published scholarly attention. By the end of the 18th century the use of fau, along with other important objects of Tahitian adornment - mourning costumes and gorgets (taumi) - appears to have ceased because of changes in the social and political systems of Tahiti. [3] Fau, therefore, pose many questions as to their role and importance in Tahitian society. The aim of this paper is to conduct an overview of fau by discussing the surviving examples, as well as extant illustrations, descriptions and commentary by 18th century voyagers and 20th century scholars. Observations will also be made on the role and importance of fau in the late 18th century - a time of dynamic transformation in Society Islands’ cultural affairs.