- published: 18 Mar 2015
- views: 47772
A tabua is a polished tooth of a sperm whale that is an important cultural item in Fijian society. They were traditionally given as gifts for atonement or esteem (called sevusevu), and were important in negotiations between rival chiefs. The dead men would be buried with their tabua, along with war clubs and even their strangled wives, to help them in the afterlife. Originally they were very rare items, available only from beached whales and from trade from neighbouring Tonga (where the practice may have originated), but when the market became known in the early 19th century thousands of teeth, and fake teeth made from ivory and walrus tusks entered the market. This trade led to the development of the European art of scrimshaw.
Today the tabua remains an important item in Fijian life. They are not sold but traded regularly as gifts in weddings, birthdays, and at funerals. The tabua is also increasingly used in advertising as a trusted symbol or brand, for example Fiji Airways has a Tabua Club (frequent flyer) and a Tabua Class for business class. They also feature on the Fijian 20 cent piece. The removal of tabua from Fiji is highly restricted, at 225 exports per year, and permits from the Ministry of Fijian Affairs, the Fijian Department of Environment, and CITES are required, as they are regulated both as an endangered species and a cultural item. As such, they can easily command prices above $500.
Actors: Hans-Wolfgang Jurgan (producer), Thomas Kretschmann (actor), Isolde Barth (actress), Annette Focks (composer), Nico Hofmann (producer), Nadja Uhl (actress), Esther Walz (costume designer), Roland Suso Richter (writer), Roland Suso Richter (director), Tina Engel (actress), Natalie Scharf (writer), Natalie Scharf (producer), Ute Platzer (miscellaneous crew), Wolf Bauer (producer), John Keogh (actor),
Genres: Adventure, Drama,Tomorrow I will go to San Francisco
I bought the flight by accident last night
Later I´ll be dancing down in Rio
And Australia is on the other side
[Bridge]
I´m sick of this security I have with every step I ever
make
It´s like hell
Even if your words would fly like butterflies
I would not be afraid
´cause there´s nothing left to say
[Chorus]
Your commentary is not necessary
I made up my mind today
And noone can say
That it´s too far away
Coz I made up my mind today
and I´m sure
Many years have passed, they stole my longing
A trip around the world has been my dream
Behind the wall of silent hope, still waiting
That a princess in a golden cage is freed
[Bridge, Chorus]
I will taste the air on every continent
and maybe find a place to stay
I´ll think about your words when I see butterflies
and drink the best champagne
to your health
[1.strophe, Chorus(2x)]