Smarthistory: wooden sculptures from Nukuoro

GUIDING QUESTIONS for FEMALE DEITY

Guiding Questions = (You should be able to find the answers to these in the article)

• Why is Nukuoro a Polynesian Outlier?

• How did Nukuoro artists smooth the surfaces of these wooden figurines?

• How would the general features / proportions of these sculptures be described?

• What size range do these wooden figurines typically have? How tall is the one on our curriculum?

• Are these figurines always female?

• What do the people of Nukuoro call these wooden female figurines?

• How were these figurines named?

• WHERE were they placed, and how would they have looked when placed there?

• WHEN were these tino aitu used? What did these rituals mark?

• What function did sculptures like these serve when in use?