Wooden dance/ceremonial club, (Kiakavo). [FC 08/08/2011]

Collection type: Object
Description: Wooden dance/ceremonial club, (Kiakavo). [FC 08/08/2011]
Long description: Wooden dance/ceremonial club, (Kiakavo). The club has a curved neck leading to the head with rounded roughened cheeks, a broad thumb-like spur with a pronounced 'wrinkle' between spur and head and a rounded butt at the end of the handle. [FC 08/08/2011]
Geographical reference: Fiji
Oceania > Melanesia > Fiji
Person: Field collector William Johnson Sollas; PRM source William Johnson Sollas
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1918
Date collected: By 1918
Acquisition information: Donated: 1918
Materials and processes: Material Wood Plant, Process Carved
Dimensions: Depth: max 45 mm, Width: max 150 mm, Length: max 910 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1918.2.10
Research and responses: Ceremonial or dance club. See F Clunie 'Fijian Weapons and Warfare' 1977 Fiji Museum, Suva, Bulletin of the Fiji Museum no.2 and R. Ewins, Fijian Artefacts: Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery collection' Australia 1982: p.38 "Kiakavo or ulaula (dance and ceremonial clubs). Superficially resembling the sali, these clubs were, however, rarely, if ever used for fighting and lack the sharp 'blade' and pointed 'killing spur' of the sali. They were made of various woods (often light softwoods) and frequently the handles were bound with sinnet and pandanus matting. [FC 08/08/2011]

Search terms: Weapon, Club

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