Samoan
Ceremonial Bowl for Kava Root Drink (Tanoa Fai’ava)
Samoan, 1941
Scroll
Samoan
Ceremonial Bowl for Kava Root Drink (Tanoa Fai’ava)
Samoan, 1941
Physical Qualities
Wood, 6 x 15 5/8 in. (15.2 x 39.7 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of James J.O. Anderson, Baltimore
Object Number
1988.160
Savai’i Island faipule (leaders) gave this tanoa fai’ava (bowl) to Major James J.O. Anderson (1939–1997), a Maryland solider who was responsible for forming relationships with the leaders of Oceanic islands occupied by United States soldiers during World War II (1939–1945). In Samoa, ‘ava, a drink made of kava root, was historically prepared and served in bowls like this for formal occasions.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift 1988; James J.O. Anderson by gift from a faipule in Savaii Samoa 1942.
On View at the BMA
