We have a hand crafted Waka taua, or War Canoe.

Made of wood, and likely Matai timber, it is approx. 19 inches long.

A full size one could be up to 130 feet long.

These canoes were made out of one log carved out to hold the paddlers.

There could be up to 80 paddlers in each canoe.

These canoes were sacred. No cooked food was allowed in the boat, and it had to be entered over the gunwales.

The bow and stern were highly decorated as in thie one, and were considered sacred and powerful symbols.

This one has been decorated with Paua Shells.

During war the canoe would be rammed at a high speed, riding up over the gunwale of the enemy canoe, forcing it under water.

The enemies were left to drown, or captured to be used in cannibal feast or females were kept as slaves.

A great piece for your collection!