WUSSUS

Caroline Islands

Pre contact

The form of this pounder is idiosyncratic of those produced by the Chuukese, although is similar to the overall form of pounders found across the Pacific. The flat top has been shaped with four evenly spaced lumps representing female nipples, this relates to the use of the object in providing nourishment for a family group/community.

These were highly valued tools in Chuukese culture and exclusively the property of women with whom they were often buried. Used to pound food on a shallow stone or wooden board/pallet approximately three foot across. Wussus are always carved from petrified coral which is an extremely dense material, an extraordinary feat considering metal tools weren’t readily available.

The Chuuk atoll had two main periods of settlement, archeological evidence points to the first wave of inhabitation in the late centuries BC and more widespread settlement from the 14th century.

• Collection in Chuck 1962.

• Similar example on display in the Australian National Museum Cammberra, Accession no NGA 2007.432

• Similar example published National Museum of America Pacifc Arts Exhibition 1979