By Antoine Teitelbaum and Karibanang Aram

 

 

In 2004, after 10 years of pearl farming development in Kiribati, the first cultured pearls were harvested at Abaiang Atoll. This activity was funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Kiribati black pearl project, and coordinated by James Cook University (JCU) in partnership with the Kiribati Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development (MFMRD).

 

Developing new opportunities for pearl shell products

It was proposed that pearls, half pearls and shells accumulated through past project activities should be used in a jewellery workshop supported by ACIAR and SPC funding. As a result, 22 participants were selected by the AMAK (association for women) in Kiribati to attend this week-long event in June 2007.

Overall organisation of the workshop was provided by SPC’s Aquaculture Section while JCU provided funding and logistical support on behalf of ACIAR. MFMRD provided local support alongside counterparts from AMAK. The workshop was led by Mr Tere Taio, master carver and manager of Prestige Pearl (Cook Islands), a company that mass produces pearl shell handicrafts.

Working with pearl shell products is a novelty in Kiribati. The main purpose of this workshop was to train potential trainers in handicraft and jewellery making with pearl shells, who will then assist in carrying out future training. It appeared that all of them gained knowledge during the workshop, all of them are ready to keep working with pearl shells, should there be raw material and equipment available.

Pearl shell jewellery workshop in Kiribati

The workshop was opened at AMAK maneaba in Bikenibeu, South Tarawa. The president of Kiribati, His Excellency the Hon Anote Tong and the first lady, were invited to the opening of the workshop. The Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Internal and Social Affairs and representatives from The Australian and the Taiwanese high commissions were also present.

On the first day, participants were given a presentation on pearl culture background in Kiribati and encouraged to secure their shells from farmed origin (i.e Abaiang). Pearls were also displayed as well as Mabe (half pearls) that were produced in Abaiang.

Mr Tere Taio introduced participants to the tools used for cleaning, buffing and carving. Participants were taught how to selecting shells and determine shell quality. Most participants practiced shell preparation on the first day, using grinders and sand paper.

On the second day, Mr. Tere Taio described the production and use of mabe (half pearls). These can be of various shapes and used to make pendants, earrings or other pieces of jewelry. Drawing on shells was also demonstrated; whilst cleaning and polishing of shells are strictly technical protocols, designing items requires artistic skills. Participants were advised to do simple and regular shapes (heart, circles, diamond shape, hook shapes etc).

The next day, participants were introduced to the use of Dremel rotary tool and the various available bits. Four Dremels were available for this workshop. Photos from items produced in the Cook Islands were displayed and this greatly helped inspire the participants.

Cutting and carving mabe was demonstrated and practiced by a some participants as there was a few mabe available for this exercise, however, it was decided that loose ‘round’ pearls weren’t going to be used for this training and will rather be sold as loose pieces of jewelry during marketing trials.

Towards the end of the workshop, around a hundred piece of jewellery were produced by the participants ranging in various shapes and size. Some popular items were:

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  • Polished shells with Kiribati type carvings on them (e.g. frigate bird, flag, fish)
  • Earrings shaped as diamonds, hearts, flowers, teardrops
  • Pendants representing animals such as turtles, lizards, frigate birds, fish
  • Pendants with regular shapes: heart, hooks, flower
  • Full shell pendants with simple drawings.

At the closing of the workshop, all the items produced by the participants were displayed for the guests. Overall, participants were happy with their work and their new knowledge and guests were enthusiastic about the quality of some of the products.

Conclusions and recommendations

After the five-day workshop, each of the 22 participants gained knowledge and competency in handling and carrying out procedures required to clean and polish shells. They also gained skills in machineries and tools handling. Most importantly, they have the confidence to achieve high standards with finished products. Certain individuals displayed initiatives to move beyond the introductory stage by using different tools to design different work pieces.

It is likely that the technique will be exploited at its best in Kiribati, should raw material and tools be available. It is best to target small handicrafts, making groups or women groups to sustain the technology. Together with the various stakeholders, it was decided that the next step for this project was to further train handicraft making groups within their production sites. For example, a team of two trainers could hold a three- to four-day exclusively practical workshop at, for example, Teitoiningaina (Catholic’s women’s group) in Taeoraereke (South Tarawa).

Furthermore, a marketing trial will be conducted within the Line Island Group. Finished products could be purchased or produced and exposed for sale when the cruise ships visit Fanning or Christmas atolls. That way, it will be possible to establish how large the potential market is and how many products can be absorbed by tourism in Kiribati.