Authentic Vintage New Zealand Wahaika Maori Patu Club Wood Handle w Carved Abalone 12 1/2" x 5" at Widest Point
c. 1920s
This particular club would have been used ceremonially, not as a war club. The traditional wahaika was a pre-European weapon that was used in hand to hand contact. Wahaika, which means “Mouth of the Fish,” was mostly made from wood or whalebone. The wooden wahaika is often carved with intricate designs. These weapons have a convex back and have a carved notch on the edge of the back of the weapon. The weapons were used in battle, of course, but also used in speeches and ceremony to accentuate the delivery of a particular point where Rangitira wanted people to pay attention.