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The central section of the turtleshell pattern shows a bonito or tuna (some are thought to show sharks). The bonito is important to the local people as a source of food. Fish, like birds, often represent the spirits of the dead.
Some people think that the turtleshell pattern actually shows the body (or skeleton) of an ancestor.
The lower section of the turtleshell pattern is thought to be a stylised, headless frigate bird. In the Solomon Islands birds, especially the frigate bird, usually represent spirits of the dead. The birds are also important to the people of Santa Cruz as their diving shows local fishermen where schools of tuna (bonito) are located.
The disk is almost 15cm across. It is a white Tridacna shell disc with vegetable fibre running from the centre to the edge of the disc, holding the turtleshell design in place.
In some parts of Oceania other kapkap designs are created on wood, gourd and bamboo containers, turtleshell armlets, barkcloth and other objects.
