unusual holes in the head of a fijian totokia club
 

This Fijian totokia has six holes evenly placed over the head, drilled into the notches as photographed , and im curious to know why this was done and whether anyone else has seen this in other totokia clubs, my only thought would be to maybe hang feathers from ? this club also has a marine ivory inlay , my thought is that this original and was in the making of the club , but how can you tell if its right or added later ?

WELCOME TO THE FORUM GROUP OF HEADKNOCKERS :D
A VERY NICE CLUB SHOWING GOOD PATINA AND WEAR. I HAVE NOT SEEN FEATHERS OR TUFTS OF HAIR ON A FIJIAN CLUB BEFORE. SUCH DECORATIONS MAY WELL HAVE BEEN IN USE BUT DUE TO THEIR FRAGILE NATURE NONE MAY HAVE SURVIVED. THE WAY THE HOLES ARE SPACED AND DRILLED SO AS NOT TO WEAKEN THE KNOBS WOULD INDICATE A PLAN AND PURPOSE AND DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE HOLES IT WAS LIKELY DECORATIVE.
THE INLAY LOOKS CONSISTENT WITH THE PATINA AND THOUGH I DO NOT REMEMBER SEEING AN EXAMPLE OF A TOTOKIA WITH INLAY ON THE BUTT OF THE CLUB. I HAVE SEEN MARINE IVORY INLAY ON THE BUTT OF VARIOUS FIJIAN CLUBS SO THOUGH UNCOMMON IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED. THE INLAY OF HUMAN TEETH IN FIJIAN CLUBS IS ALSO WELL DOCUMENTED.

Thanks for your welcome and input , I agree I think the holes must of been for some type of decoration and over time degraded , this is what I like about old ethnographic weapons they keep you thinking.

:)