Currency (Wafu)

ClassificationsCurrency and Exchange Objects

Culture Lumi

Dateearly 20th Century

Made AtSandaun Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumPlant fiber and nassa shell

Dimensions23 5/8 × 15 1/8 × 3/8 in., 22.4 oz. (60 × 38.4 × 1 cm, 0.635 kg.)
In Mount: 27 1/16 × 14 7/8 × 6 in. (68.7 × 37.8 × 15.2 cm)

Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih

Object number2013.5.20

DescriptionNot all shell objects were made to be worn. The shell currencies of the Lumi area in the Torricelli Mountains are called wafu. This is an excellent example with a beautiful overall shape, a full complement of nassa shells and a back showing real age and field use. Wafu were used for a number of transactions requiring the exchange of valuables such as bride price, death compensation and the buying of pigs.

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