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How did people of the Gilbert Islands make armour from coconut palm fibre?
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Basketry
Overview of basketry on Madeira Island, Portugal.
In the Gilbert Islands (modern-day Kiribati), inhabitants created protective armour using basketry techniques to defend against weapons fashioned from shark teeth.1
These suits, which included trousers and jackets featuring high protective panels to shield the back of the neck, were woven from sennitβa strong cordage made from coconut palm fibre. The resulting garments were often embroidered with geometric designs using human hair. This use of thick, strong basketry was highly effective for defensive gear because it provided necessary protection while remaining lightweight.12