Those of chiefly and priestly rank were permitted to dress and adorn themselves in ways not available to others, such as particular forms of tapa cloth (masi) and shell valuables.
Valuables were made from a variety of shells, including black lipped pearl shell, cowry shells, and some smaller shell varieties. Most important, however, were objects made from whales’ teeth, including necklaces, chest ornaments and single teeth, tabua, all of which were used for ceremonial occasions. Boars’ tusks were made into neck ornaments and used in scraping smooth wooden objects.