The gata or gata waka is a war club from
Fiji
Fiji, officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists of an archipelago of more than 330 islands—of which about ...
.
Uses in Fiji
Usually cut from hardwood, it has a snake or rifle shaped head. The word gata means snake in Fijian language. This weapon can be used for war but also for traditional dances and ceremonies. Its shape is very similar to the ''kiakavo'' used for dancing.
[Susan Cochrane, ]Max Quanchi
Max Quanchi (born 20 June 1945) is an Australian academic whose research specialisations have been the South Pacific nations and the role of photography in recording and transmitting its cultures and histories.
Biography
Quanchi was born in Vi ...
, ''Hunting the Collectors: Pacific Collections in Australian Museums'', p.46
Gallery
File:H000293- Club.jpg, Gata
File:Two Fijian warriors, photograph by Burton Brothers, 1884.jpg, Fijian warriors, the one on the right with a gata
File:Gata waka Fidji 2.jpg, A gata waka club or a kiakavo for dancing
See also
*
Bulibuli
A bulibuli or vunikau bulibuli is a Fijian war club.
Uses
The ''bulibuli'' has a straight and fair long handle (difference with a '' Ula Bulibuli'') and a rounded percussion head. At its end the striking head is rounded and provided with roun ...
*
Culacula
A culacula is a paddle war club from Fiji.
Uses in Fiji
Usually cut from a hardwood type of iron wood, it has a broad blade and was used by chiefs or priests to deflect arrows during war.Susan Cochrane, Max Quanchi, ''Hunting the Collectors : P ...
*
Sali
*
Totokia
*
Ula
Bibliography
* John Charles Edler, Terence Barrow, ''Art of Polynesia'', Hemmeter Publishing Corporation, 1990.
* Rod Ewins, ''Fijian Artefacts: The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Collection'',
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) is a museum located in Hobart, Tasmania. The museum was established in 1846, by the Royal Society of Tasmania, the oldest Royal Society outside England.
The TMAG receives 400,000 visitors annually.
...
, 1982.
* ''Bulletin of the Fiji Museum'', Numeros 1–2, Fiji Museum, 1973.
References
Throwing clubs
Clubs (weapon)
Ritual weapons
Culture of Fiji
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