Tewhatewha

The Tewhatewha (also Paiaka or Taiaha ) is an elongated lobe, which is used by the Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand.

History

The Tewhatewha an impact and shock weapon was developed by the Māori as offensive and defensive weapon. The Tewhatewha is also a registry object that plays an important role in the tradition of Māori. Next to the Toki Pou Tangata - It is a symbol for the chief ( Ariki ) a tribe.

Tukukino, 1878 by Gottfried Lindauer, oil on canvas. Toi o Tamaki Auckland Art Gallery

Description

The Tewhatewha consists either of whale bone or hardwood. She is about 120 cm long.

The shank, diameter 15-20 mm, round and is the Head made of thinner until it is pointed at the end, where it forms a sharp sting mandrel. The center of the stem is often decorated with linear carvings.

The impact head has roughly the shape of a quarter circle. At the round side of the outer edge is sharpened. The whole Tewhatewha is polished. They can use for beating and stabbing. Often, the impact head is used as a handle and shaft for stabbing and beating.

Shortly after the strike head a tuft of feathers attached, which serves to distract the enemy during combat.