Obviously cannibal forks are really not something you would think of when trying to create a new tropical look. Most people are unaware that they even exist. That is what makes fair trade products so awesome! One of the absolute best things about searching around in the world of fair trade is that you will find the most unusual, the most unique and the most beautiful things that you cannot find elsewhere because true fair trade items are not mass-produced. So just like these cannibal forks, you are not going to find them everywhere you turn.
We love them because they are surprisingly useful as you can mix and match them in with other wood carvings and with so many other elements used in tropical designs.
When we were traveling around Fiji and visiting many of the tourist shops, we looked at what visitors from around the world were buying. Local wood carvings are a huge deal there. Along with the kava bowls (read about those in the next section of this guide), unusual items like cannibal forks are so popular that shop owners were telling us that they often run out of stock. We found these forks to be so cool because they show so well on their own or as an integral part of a tropical scene or display.
What’s Up With The Cannibal Thing?
Well, without diving into a full-on history of the South Pacific (it is really a fascinating topic but one we cannot cover here), cannibalism was practiced in some South Pacific cultures among prehistoric human beings. It did linger on into the 19th century in a few isolated island groups, most notably in the Fiji islands.
Photo credit: dailymail.co.uk and Getty Images
So yes, Fiji has a cannibal past! During warrior ceremonies, the chiefs and tribal leaders participated in feasting on captured enemies. Cannibal forks, or “iculanibokola”, were used by tribal attendants to feed chiefs and tribal leaders during these ritual feasts as the chiefs and leaders were considered to be too holy to touch food. It was actually a cultural taboo for holy individuals to touch food with their own hands. Due to the significance of these events, these forks were also a way to show influence and power. The more decorated and elaborate, the higher status the owner of the fork had. This is a replica of a very simple cannibal fork.
Cannibal Forks Are True Craftsmanship!
Each tribe across the Fijian islands had their own tribal designs as was the case in other South Pacific nations including early tribes in Samoa, Tonga and in other island groups. Several of those designs have been carried down through generations and are featured prominently in various types of artwork. That is what makes the artwork between these island nations so incredibly different from one to the next! Regarding Fijian cannibal forks, many different designs are available now and they really work in creating unique tropical looks! Some are relative simple in design.
The differences in detailing can be very subtle as is seen in these two photos above. Other forks are very different in design such as the Chieftain. It is thicker and is more intricately carved.
This design has a floating wooden ball in the handle.
This one features a replica of a “bure” or Fijian thatched-roof home.
And this one is one of our favorites, we love the tiki mask!
So as you can see, cannibal forks really are different and since they come in such a variety of designs, why not create you own unique collection? Most are available in two different sizes. We do carry one, the Chieftain, which is available in six different sizes with the largest being twenty inches! That would look awesome mounted on a wall! You can find them under our wood ceremonial carvings!
So there you have it about cannibal forks from Fiji! Let your imagination run wild about what your tropical escape at home can look like!