Wooden Carved Wahaika Club - Large
Wooden Carved Wahaika Club - Large.
Both a practical and ceremonial weapon.
Waha-ika means the mouth of the fish.
If you look at the shape of the weapon it looks like the shape of a whales' lower jaw bone.
Many waha-ika have a small figure carved on the side.
This figure would be a guardian to the owner and would often be a venerated ancestor.
The patu was traditionally made out of wood or stone, and if made from greenstone was more commonly called a mere.
It was used in a thrusting motion, often used in close combat aimed just below the ribs, and sometimes at the head.
A Patu is a pre-European Maori club.
This patu is made from native timber Matai.
It has a rope cord, for it to be hung from the wrist.
Size 40 H x 14cm W.