Staff

18125

From: New Zealand

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

View All (8) Object Images

Native Name Taiaha
Object Number 18125
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Maori
Provenience New Zealand
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 deep, incised carvings resembling a head. The arero (tongue) is decorated with double spirals containing pākati (notching).

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 symbol of defiance in Māori culture and is often found represented in carvings.

Length 128 cm
Width 5.5 cm
Credit Line Gift of William Pepper, 1891
Other Number 60-1 - Other Number

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