Taiaha kura (long fighting staff)

About this item

Title

Taiaha kura (long fighting staff)

Content partner

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Collection

Te Papa Collections Online

Description

A taiaha is a hand weapon usually made from hard wood, or sometimes whale bone, and usually about 1.5 metres long. Taiaha have one end carved in the shape of an upoko (head) with a face on each side. The eyes of the two faces see all around, reflecting the alertness of the taiaha exponent. An arero (tongue) protruding from the upoko forms one end of the weapon. The upoko is adorned with a tauri (collar) of feathers and/or dog hair, the tassels of which form the awe. Below this, the tinana (bo...

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Format

Image

Date created

1800-1850

URL

https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/131920

Related subjects

wood / feather / dogskin / edged weapons / taiaha / woodcarving / Te Huringa I: 1800 - 1900 / Gisborne

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