Intricately Carved Taiaha: Maori Close-Quarters Weapon

Chiefly taiaha, intricately carved tongue with haehae and pakati notching, strong mouth with spiral carving leading to a well defined nose and eyes which are missing paua inlays. Well balance flattened cylindrical shaft leading to a flared striking edge the taiaha is a traditional Maori weapon usually between 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 m) in length. It is a wooden close-quarters weapon used for short, sharp strikes or stabbing thrusts. It has three main parts: the arero (tongue), used for stabbing the opponent and parrying, the upoko (head), the base from which the tongue protrudes, and the ate (liver), the long flat blade which is also used for striking and parrying. Mau Rakau is the martial Art that teaches the use of the taiaha and other Maori weapons in combat. As with other martial arts styles, students of the taiaha spend years mastering the skills of timing, balance and Co-ordination necessary to wield the weapon effectively the weapon is also widely known due to its use in the wero - the traditional Maori challenge the upoko in this example is adorned with a Tauri (collar) of cotton and animal fibre. Length 158 cm. Width 6.6 cm