Solomon Islands wooden war club

colin henshaw · 5th July 2012, 08:40 PM

Thanks to Vandoo & Fearn for their comments.

The similarity between these clubs and the Maori taiaha is very interesting.

I had a good look at mine and can't see any evidence or residue of a fibre wrap at one time. But the handle part has that slight "rippling" in the wood, that can mean stone-carved. Perhaps the lack of decorative elements including a central ridge means an earlier date ??

Certainly feels good to swing in the arms, and would be a deadly weapon in the hands of a warrior trained in their use since childhood

fearn · 5th July 2012, 10:01 PM

At this remove, it's hard to determine whether a design is culturally conservative, or independently derived. Thing about the Maori clubs is that the archeologists have dug up a bone club in the shape of the mere from about the time the Maori left for New Zealand. One could therefore say that the Maori retained an old design, at least in their hand clubs. One could also speculate that the taiaha is based on an old Polynesian design.

On the other hand, quite a few people and cultures have come up with that shape blade for everything from clubs to swords. Since it works so well, many craftsmen have figured it out.

So, shared history or independent origin? We'll likely never know.

Best,

F

5th July 2012, 08:40 PM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Thanks to Vandoo & Fearn for their comments. The similarity between these clubs and the Maori taiaha is very interesting. I had a good look at mine and can't see any evidence or residue of a fibre wrap at one time. But the handle part has that slight "rippling" in the wood, that can mean stone-carved. Perhaps the lack of decorative elements including a central ridge means an earlier date ?? Certainly feels good to swing in the arms, and would be a deadly weapon in the hands of a warrior trained in their use since childhood

5th July 2012, 10:01 PM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	At this remove, it's hard to determine whether a design is culturally conservative, or independently derived. Thing about the Maori clubs is that the archeologists have dug up a bone club in the shape of the mere from about the time the Maori left for New Zealand. One could therefore say that the Maori retained an old design, at least in their hand clubs. One could also speculate that the taiaha is based on an old Polynesian design. On the other hand, quite a few people and cultures have come up with that shape blade for everything from clubs to swords. Since it works so well, many craftsmen have figured it out. So, shared history or independent origin? We'll likely never know. Best, F