Islanders War Club

[kronckew]

i found this islander's war club on epray a week ago. it is used in ritual intertribal battle dances by a race of ferocious sea faring warriors descended from scandanavian raiders. it is also used by the warrior class as a home defence weapon. it is known as a 'hurley'. it is apparently taboo to strike your opponent with a one handed blow. two hands only. it is frequently associated with another throwing weapon called a sliotar. the ritual battle dance is known as hurling and frequently results in severe injuries. it is sometimes described as somewhere between war and murder.


there is a youtube video of a native warrior using one of these clubs against a triad of knife wielding attackers HERE

anyway, i wrapped this one & it lives near my front door. justincase. 32 inches of ash wood.

[Rick]

A fearsome bunch and quite exciting to watch in action .
Shouldn't this be in Euro ?

I sat for a while by the gap in the wall
Found a rusty tin can and an old hurley ball
Heard the cards being dealt, and the rosary called
And a fiddle playing Sean Dun na nGall
And the next time I see you we'll be down at the Greeks
There'll be whiskey on Sunday and tears on our cheeks
For it's stupid to laugh and it's useless to bawl
About a rusty tin can and an old hurley ball

The Broad Majestic Shannon

[kronckew]

i debated putting it there but as it is a weapon of an indiginous island people, and pretty much restricted to that island (tho occasionally used by the descendants of immigrant natives to the USA), it is not known as a european weapon nor it's use a european historical pastime. it's use is especially active around their patron saint's day (march 17th) when they consume vast quantities of road tar and other fermented grain beverages and dye their sheep green.

[kronckew]

a typical battle between two regional factions in the 1920's resulted in this:

[drac2k]

What would this melee event be called ; they seem to have some type of uniform, but unlike lacrosse, they don't seem to have any padding or helmets . Would it be against the "rules, " to do so, or would it just be considered unmanly?

[Rick]

Originally Posted by kronckew

a typical battle between two regional factions in the 1920's resulted in this:

Which is why they don't have a hockey team at Notre Dame .

[David]

Well, since we are so terribly off topic already…
For those who are a bit lost on the sport of hurling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDgLwZd1Ag4

[Andrew]

Moved to new forum and reopened.

[Rick]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_lacrosse

[kronckew]

it is amazing how many sports and games are combat related.

glad to see that my thread is receiving the ridiculous attention it deserves and has resulted in an area where we can discuss humour as a weapon.

in parting, here is another ethnic club i found, bought it on a whim because i liked the carving. 22 in. maple.