Wahaika

A Wahaika is a type of traditional Māori hand weapon. Wahaika are short club-like weapons usually made of wood or whalebone and are used for thrusting and striking in close-quarter, hand-to-hand fighting.[1] Whalebone wahaika are called wahaika parāoa.[2]

Wahaika, circa 1900. Rietberg Museum.

Wahaika translates to "mouth of the fish",[3][4] in reference to the notch on one side which is used to catch an opponent's weapon. On the other side just above the handle the concave tip above a carved humanoid figure is the primary striking edge,[5] particularly used against the opponent's temples, face, and ribs.[3] The rest of the spherical edge is sharp like a blade.[2][6][7]

Wooden wahaika are often carved with intricate designs. In addition to being a fighting weapon, rangatira would hold wahaika during ceremonies and speeches, especially if they wanted people to pay attention to something important.[4] Special wahaika would only be gifted to people with considerable ranking in the Māori tribal structure.[8]

Two wooden and one whalebone wahaika in Te Papa Museum.

References
  1. Imbelloni, J. (1930). "On the diffusion in America of patu onewa, okewa, patu paraoa, miti, and other relatives of the mere family, p 322-345". The Journal of the Polynesian Society. 39: 339, 342. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  2. Matamua, Rangi (2013). "Mau rākau: wahaika parāoa". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  3. "Wahaika (hand club)". Collections Online. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  4. "Maori Weapons (Patu, Taiaha, etc)". National Army Museum: Te Mata Toa. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  5. Moorfield, John C. "wahaika". Māori Dictionary. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  6. "Club patu kotiate". National Museum of Australia. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  7. "Wahaika". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  8. Wood, Stacey (2011). "Hokitika man's carving fit for a president". Stuff. Retrieved 22 May 2020.

See also


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