Dala (Pendant or Head Ornament)

The dala, or kapkap, is a form of adornment found through many parts of Solomon Islands, Island New Guinea and parts of mainland Papua New Guinea. While dala is the name most commonly given to these shell adornments in Solomon Islands, the word kapkap which originates from New Ireland, has been widely adopted for related shell adornments across the region. Dala are comprised of a polished disk of giant clamshell (Tridacna gigas) overlaid with a delicate fretwork of carved turtle shell. This example features a sequence of interconnected motifs, arranged in bands that radiate from the center in four concentric circles; and meticulous notching around the entire circumference. Attached via fiber through a single perforation at the center of the disk, the turtle shell overlay can be updated if required, by untying the knot and removing the turtle shell for replacement with another. This example is also distinctive for the single blue glass trade bead tied at its center. Both the material and manufacture of dala indicate the prestige of these adornments. It takes immense skill to master the techniques required to carve the turtle shell plaque with such intricate, symmetrical geometric designs and to polish the hard, fossilized clam shell into a smooth finish.

 Dala were primarily worn by men as a marker of status. In Solomon Islands, dala are worn on the forehead. In parts of New Guinea, they are more commonly worn as a pendant at the chest or incorporated into larger dramatic headdresses. Shell jewelry and body ornamentation are a visual expression of identity conveying which island or region an individual is from, as well as their gender, marital status and kinship connections. At large gatherings and festivals, people who may not see each other on a daily basis, can quickly identify changes in an individual’s status, their rank, role, and ritual achievements.