Gata (weapon)
Appearance
The Gata or Gata waka is a war club from Fiji.
Uses in Fiji
Usually cut from hardwood, it has a snake[1] 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.[2] Its shape is very similar to the kiakavo used for dancing.[3]
Gallery
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Gata
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Fijian warriors, the one on the right with a gata
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A gata waka club or a kiakavo for dancing
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, 1982.
- Bulletin of the Fiji Museum, Numeros 1–2, Fiji Museum, 1973.
References
- ^ Francesco Pellizzi, Anthropology and Aesthetics, 57/58: Spring/Autumn 2010 [1]
- ^ Hélène Goiran, Les rôles politiques des militaires fidjiens
- ^ Susan Cochrane, Max Quanchi, Hunting the Collectors: Pacific Collections in Australian Museums, p.46
See also