Solomon Islands · Shell Craft / Currency Making
Rokosama (shell money)
The Langalanga people of the lagoon off the western coast of Malaita Island (Solomon Islands) produce the shell money (rokosama) that is still used as currency for bride price, compensation, and ceremony throughout Malaita. Shell money is made from tiny discs of shell — primarily from three species: white discs from Malaita clam, orange-red discs from spondylus, and black discs from black-lip oyster — each ground to exactly 6-8mm diameter and strung in specific value sequences. The defining technical knowledge is the grinding uniformity: each disc is ground on a flat stone until it matches the diameter standard — assessed by threading onto a reference string: 'when the disc slides freely but does not rattle, the diameter is correct.'
Risk level: Critically Endangered · Solomon Islands national ICH list; Pacific cultural heritage
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