1915.25.87

Collection type

Object

Description

Paddle club, Culacula, with broad carved blade.

Long description

Paddle club, Culacula, with broad carved blade. The club is made from a dark wood and has a broad blade with raised strengthening bar across base of blade. The blade has been carved at the lower end on both sides with a series of serrated zigzag teeth. [FB 05/03/2012]

Geographical reference

Fiji

Oceania > Melanesia > Fiji

Person

Field collector Henry Nottidge Moseley

Field collector HMS Challenger

PRM source Amabel Nevill Sollas

Date / Period

Date made: Before 11/08/1874

Date collected

25 July to 11 August 1874

Acquisition information

Donated: 1915

Materials and processes

Material Wood Plant, Process Carved

Dimensions

Length: max 1170 mm, Width: max 225 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1915.25.87

Research and responses

Paddle 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.44 "Paddle Clubs - Culacula and Kinikini. These broad-bladed clubs were of two types, war clubs and ceremonial. They are said to be possibly Tongan or Samoan in origin but some of the oldest surviving Fijian clubs are of the Culacula type. The war-clubs were used like broadswords, the sharp edges on the very hard wood being sufficient to snap, if not cut through bone. The ornately decorated ceremonial clubs were often excessively broad, almost fan-like, and were exclusive to chiefs and priests. They were handed down as heirlooms, and long use has often worn the carved designs almost away from the handle., even the blades in some cases. They were probably seldom used to strike with, being so thin in the blade that they would break easily - though not, it must be admitted, before doing very considerable damage..." [FB 14/02/2012]

Search terms: Weapon, Ritual and Ceremonial, Club, Ceremonial Object