Whale Teeth
On the Pacific island of Fiji, whale teeth—known astabua—were (and still are) highly prized as a form of ceremonial currency. Polished and bleached, these teeth were used to pay for weddings, settle disputes, and honor visiting dignitaries. The rarer the tooth, the more powerful the statement.
Because whales are not native to Fijian waters, the scarcity added to the item’s worth. Each tooth came with a history, and owning one was a symbol of power, tradition, and generosity. Tabua were so important that their trade was regulated, with false ones considered a serious offense—basically, Fijian counterfeit cash.
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