The Material Culture of Tuvalu

Tuvalu is an island country in the Pacific Ocean, formerly known as the Ellice Islands. They are about halfway between Hawaii and Australia. From 1916 to 1975, they were managed as part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony by the British. In 1976 the colony separated into Kiribati and Tuvalu respectively, and in 1978 Tuvalu became independent.

There is no doubt this book is an academic work of anthropology, and as such, rather unsuited to being read cover to cover and reviewed by a reader with only a passing interest (such as me). The author is a German cultural anthropologist who was well known for his expertise in Tuvalu, Kiribati and Santa Cruz.

Similarly, there can be no doubt of the thoroughness and inclusion of all detail when looking through this book, which comes complete with hundreds of very accurate pen and ink drawings of all manner of artifacts, structures and canoes, as well as many black and white photographs all of which clearly illustrate the things described in the text.

Divided into chapters and covering all imaginable topics (eg Food Supply, Preparation of Food, Clothing, Ornaments, Houses, Furniture, Canoes and Rafts, Musical Instruments, Weapons, Burial, etc).

This book was absolutely enjoyable to pick through, the sketches as noted above are excellent and the clear structure and organisation of the book make it easy to locate specific things.

4 stars.