Kiribati

Kiribati, a nation of low coral atolls, holds deep knowledge of the sea, dance and the art of building from pandanus and coconut.

Music & dance Nature & herbalism Building & habitat Crafts

Knowledge in this place

Te mwaie dance

Te mwaie dance

A bird-inspired dance with sharp outstretched arm movements and sudden head turns set to chanting.

Wave and star navigation

Wave and star navigation

Reading swell patterns, stars and bird flight to sail safely between distant atolls without instruments.

Nature & herbalism

Maneaba meeting house building

Maneaba meeting house building

Large open meeting houses built with timber and pandanus thatch that organise community life and decision-making.

Building & habitat

Coconut fibre armour

Coconut fibre armour

Body armour woven from tightly knotted coconut fibre worn with weapons edged in shark teeth.