-
A young Reef Islander carries one of the coils of red feather money
traditionally given in payment for a tepuke. Because the Solomon Islands'
official currency has replaced this and most of the other forms of
exchange for all but ceremonial transactions, the craft of feather
money making has died out. Export of the money being illegal, coils
like this one still circulate locally by means of ritual barter.
(Meph Wyeth)