| Native Name | Wahaika |
| Object Number | P2219 |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Culture | Maori |
| Provenience | New Zealand |
| Period | Te Puawaitanga Period |
| Date Made | 1500-1800 CE |
| Section | Oceanian |
| Materials | Wood |
| Description | Wooden wahaika (short-hand club) with a figure carved along one side. Both sides of the blade are intricately carved in a Gisborne style. The blade has rauponga whakarare (alternating pākati and haehae) surface decoration, and the handle is undecorated. The reke (butt of the weapon) is carved in the shape of a head. Underneath the head is a rectangular 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 | 37 cm |
| Width | 13.5 cm |
| Credit Line | Purchased from W. O. Oldman; Subscription of Herbert L. Clark in memory of Edward W. Clark, 1911 |
| Other Number | 17438 - Dealer's Number |
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