U'u

The U'u is a war club of the Marquesas Islands.

Cut from iron wood,^[1] its shape and large size distinguish it from other Pacific gunstocks. It was reserved for a caste of warriors who were assisting allied tribes.^[2] The club should at least reach its possessor's armpits. The striking head, although apparently identical, was richly carved, and it is an artistic work with drawings representing lizards, human figures, or tattoo patterns.^[3] U'us were left in a taro field, where they turned black, and then were coated with coconut oil.^[2]

Gallery

U'u's striking head.
U'u war club, National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Tribe chief with a U'u.
Nuku Hiva warrior with tattoo and his U'u.
U'u

References

^ Eric Kjellgren; Carol S. Ivory (2005). Adorning the World: Art of the Marquesas Islands. Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 85. ISBN 978-1-58839-146-9 – via Google Books.
^ ^a ^b Anthony JP Meyer (1995). Art océanien. Könemann. p. 506.
^ Hope B. Werness (January 2003). "U'U". Continuum Encyclopedia of Native Art: Worldview, Symbolism, and Culture. p. 314. ISBN 0826411568 – via Google Books.

Bibliography

John Charles Edler, Terence Barrow, Art of Polynesia, Hemmeter Publishing Corporation, 1990.
Anthony JP Meyer, Art océanien, Könemann, 1995.

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[1] Eric Kjellgren; Carol S. Ivory (2005). Adorning the World: Art of the Marquesas Islands. Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 85. ISBN 978-1-58839-146-9 – via Google Books.

[Meyer-2] Anthony JP Meyer (1995). Art océanien. Könemann. p. 506.

[3] Hope B. Werness (January 2003). "U'U". Continuum Encyclopedia of Native Art: Worldview, Symbolism, and Culture. p. 314. ISBN 0826411568 – via Google Books.

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[2]

[3]

v t e Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia
	Northern Marquesas:	Eiao Hatutu Motu Iti Motu One Nuku-Hiva Ua Huka Ua Pou
	Southern Marquesas:	Fatu-Hiva Fatu Huku Hiva Oa Moho Tani Motu Nao Tahuata Terihi
Archipelagos of French Polynesia: Australs Gambiers Marquesas Societies Tuamotus

v t e Polynesia
Polynesian triangle	Cook Islands Easter Island French Polynesia Austral Islands Gambier Islands Marquesas Islands Society Islands Tuamotus Hawaiian Islands New Zealand Niue Norfolk Island Pitcairn Islands Rotuma Salas y Gómez Samoan Islands Tokelau Tonga Tuvalu Wallis and Futuna Islands
Polynesian outliers	Aniwa Anuta Bellona Duff Islands Emae Futuna Kapingamarangi Mele Nuguria Nukumanu Nukuoro Ontong Java Ouvéa Pileni Rennell Sikaiana Takuu Tikopia
Polynesian-influenced	Lau Islands Madagascar