Human Hair - Kiribati Armor
Searching the newspaper archives, I came across this mention of body armor made with human hair in 1893 - nearly 130 years ago! An intriguing functional and decorative utility for hair. I wanted to know if I could find out more about this artifact or where it might be located now.
A short search led me to this excellent informational page by Dr. Ali Clark about Kiribati Armor. I found it especially poignant that Dr. Ali Clark mentions, “The rapid decline in the production of this type of armor is generally attributed to the influence of missionaries, who first arrived from France in 1888, and the British, who arrived 1892…” Notice the publication year of the newspaper article. Judging by the information and pictures it looks to be a strong match to the armor drawn and described below.
I’m definitely adding this to my list of things I would like to see in person before I die. Stay curious friends.
Update: I saw Kiribati Armor with my own eyes at the Horniman “HAIR” exhibit in March of 2022!
19 Jan 1893
The Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho • Page 7
Made of Human Hair.
A Suit of Armor Worn by a South Sea Islander.
John L. Howard has just presented to the San Francisco Academy of Sciences a complete suit of armor brought from one of the Gilbert islands. The cost of mail and helmet, all in one piece, is believed by The Chronicle to be a hundred years old, and looks, when off the wearer, like a big wicker chair. When on, the back of the chair apparently rises above the wearer’s head, which passes up through the seat of the chair. The low arms, which are really straps, pass over his shoulders. The solid portion of the lower part is the corselet, fastening around the body. This curious garment is made of cocoanut fiber, twisted around and around over thick cords, making a dense fabric stiff and stout as board. In color it resembles unbleached linen.
HOW THE GARMENT LOOKS.
The material is woven by hand, after which it is embroidered in regular patterns, suggesting grotesque human figures. This curious needlework is executed with cords made of twisted human hair. The thickness of these garments is surprising, and neither arrows nor spears could pierce them. Judging by the fineness of the work the curious armor must have consumed years in the making. With the suit of armor are two spears, one eleven feet in length, the other fourteen. They are long, pointed sticks of cocoanut wood, armed with sharks’ teeth. The teeth are polished until they are smooth and white as ivory. Each tooth is knotted to the wood by a cord made of human hair, passing through a hole drilled in the tooth and another drilled in the wood.
