| Native Name | Wahaika |
| Object Number | P2218 |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Culture | Maori |
| Provenience | New Zealand |
| Period | Te Huringa I Period |
| Date Made | 1800 - 1900 CE |
| Section | Oceanian |
| Materials | Whale Bone | Abalone |
| Description | Whale bone wahaika (short-hand club) with one side smoothed and carved, the other side undecorated. There is a faintly incised figure beneath the blade. The reke (butt of the weapon) is carved in the shape of a head. There is a pāua (abalone) eye. Underneath the head is a circular hole from which a wrist cord (tau) would have been attached. A wahaika is a short-handled thrusting weapon with a distinctive figure carved on one side. Used in close combat, the wahaika can be used to both parry and strike. The slit along the edge of the club would have been to snag and dislodge an opponent's weapon in battle. |
| Length | 34.5 cm |
| Width | 14 cm |
| Credit Line | Purchased from W. O. Oldman; Subscription of Herbert L. Clark in memory of Edward W. Clark, 1911 |
| Other Number | 17389 - Dealer's Number |
Report problems and issues to digitalmedia@pennmuseum.org.




