Staff
18147A
From: New Zealand | North Island | Gisborne Region | Near Poverty Bay
Curatorial Section: Oceanian
| Native Name | Taiaha |
| Object Number | 18147A |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Culture | Maori |
| Provenience | New Zealand | North Island | Gisborne Region | Near Poverty Bay |
| Period | Te Huringa I Period |
| Date Made | 1800 - 1900 CE |
| Section | Oceanian |
| Materials | Wood |
| Description | A taiaha (long-handled fighting staff), made of one piece of wood. There is a pointed blade with shallow carvings resembling a head. The wood shows some wear along the head. The taiaha is a long-handled fighting staff, used to stab, parry, and strike. The distinctive blade is carved to resemble a head (upoko) with a tongue (arero) coming out of its mouth. This gesture is a defiance in Māori culture and is often found represented in carvings. According the C.D. Voy, the collector, the taiaha was formerly carried by a Māori Chief. |
| Length | 132.7 cm |
| Width | 7 cm |
| Credit Line | Gift of William Pepper, 1891 |
| Other Number | 10 - Other Number |
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