A pronged wooden weapon?

[apolaki]

Does anyone have an idea what this could be? It's quite heavy and looks fierce! Thanks for any leads.

[shayde78]

The carving looks Fijian, but I've never seen the end split like that on a Fijian club/ula. It does look intentionally split, but I am not familiar with that form.

It almost looks like a stylized squid shape.

[shayde78]

So I found a similar styled item called a 'cannibal fork'. Thoughts?

Here is a description (from http://www.weirduniverse.net/blog/comments/fijian_cannibal_forks/ ):
The cannibal fork, or iculanibokola, was used by attendants during ritual feasts to feed individuals considered too holy to touch food. These forks arose for several reasons. First is a cultural taboo that prohibits chiefs and priests from touching food with their hands. Common Fijians generally did not use utensils until Europeanization. One of the most important ceremonies a chieftain participated in was the devouring of their or the tribes enemy. Combining the significance of the event and the inability to use their hands the chiefs needed a way to participate-hence the development of the cannibal fork. Forks became a way to show power and influence. The fancier more elaborate the fork, the higher status the owner had.

[Sajen]

Yes, it is a so called "canibal fork" from Fiji. But I doubt that it is an antique one, the real antique ones are extreme expensive.
Picture examples taken from the net, don't know if this are antique examples.

Regards,
Detlef

[David]

Might i suggest that since this is an eating implement, not a weapon, that this thread be moved to the Miscellania Forum? :shrug:

[Sajen]

Might i suggest that since this is an eating implement, not a weapon, that this thread be moved to the Miscellania Forum? :shrug:

Hi David,

certainly yes! :)