Wanjibung Edwards, The Pearl Shell Necklace

Wanjibung Edwards, (The Pearl Shell Necklace)

• Pearl Shell, Hand-spun string made from the fibres of the cabbage palm
• 75cm length

Ma Wanjibung Pukun is the fifth-generation custodian of the sacred tradition of making pearl shell necklaces, a practice steeped in cultural significance and ancestral knowledge. These prestigious adornments are more than decorative they carry stories, status, and spiritual meaning passed down through generations.
Wanjibung learned the art from his boy, Frenchy Jimmy, and Kenny Jimmy, both respected ancestral knowledge holders. His learning took place out on country at a place called Tarrchmanengk, a site rich in cultural history and ancestral presence. It was there, on ancestral land, that he was guided through the intricate process and deeper meanings behind each piece.
The process begins with the collection of native pearl shells, which are then carefully shaped into either ovals or squares, depending on the tradition of the region. The shells are polished to reveal their natural iridescence, reflecting the light in a way that symbolises connection to sea, sky, and spirit. Using a sharp tool or a piece of bone, a small hole is skilfully drilled into each shell. The shells are then threaded using hand-spun string made from the fibres of the cabbage palm a traditional technique requiring both patience and precision.
These necklaces are predominantly worn by men during ceremonies, and gatherings. Each region expresses its identity through variations in shape, colour, and arrangement of the shells. The designs carry deep cultural meaning, reflecting connection to place, kinship ties.
Today, Wanjibung continues to honour this practice, ensuring that the knowledge is preserved and shared with the next generation, just as it was entrusted to him.