Courting Stick Item Number: 3274/80 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Courting stick in two pieces carved from thin, long piece of wood. The shorter piece (part a) tapers in to a point at one end. The longer piece (part b) has a flat, rectangular section, and two barbed sections.
Narrative
A man will slip the stick beneath the wall mat of a house and into the sleeping area of his paramour, who can tactually determine his identity by the unique pattern of notches on the stick.
Item History
- Made in Truk Islands, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia
- Collected during 1980
- Owned by William H. Alkire before August 16, 2017
- Received from William H. Alkire (Donor) on August 16, 2017
What
Who
- Culture
- Micronesian
- Previous Owner
- William H. Alkire
- Received from
- William H. Alkire (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Truk Islands, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia
When
- Collection Date
- during 1980
- Ownership Date
- before August 16, 2017
- Acquisition Date
- on August 16, 2017
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 3274/0080 a-b