Where is the taiaha found?
A taiaha (Māori pronunciation: [ˈtaiaha]) is a traditional weapon of the Māori of New Zealand; a close-quarters staff weapon made from either wood or whalebone, and used for short, sharp strikes or stabbing thrusts with efficient footwork on the part of the wielder.
What does the taiaha symbolize?
A Taiaha is a traditional Māori weapon. It is a short fighting staff weapon made for close-quarters combat. Carved from either wood or whalebone, these weapons represent treasured item. The Hei Taiaha symbolises the Māori warrior culture.
Why is taiaha important?
This weapon was a “weapon of authority,“ which was used by chiefs in both attacks and defence. The taiaha was used to distract an opponent thanks to the tufts of feathers that were placed around the neck of the weapon. Maori warfare was almost always hand-to-hand combat, and it was a major activity for the Maori.
How is a taiaha made?
A taiaha is a hand weapon usually made from hard wood, or sometimes whale bone, and usually about 1.5 metres long. Taiaha have one end carved in the shape of an upoko (head) with a face on each side. An arero (tongue) protruding from the upoko forms one end of the weapon.
How old is taiaha?
Māori curator Rachel Wesley said it was believed the object was made from mānuka and estimated to be 200 years old. A taiaha discovered in the Taieri River by local whitebaiter Trevor Griffin. It was not a ceremonial item, but a weapon “most likely” used in battle, she said.
What is the name of the first taiaha?
Taiaha (long striking weapon), named Te Rongotaketake.
What wood is a taiaha made of?
The best-known two-handed weapons are the taiaha, tewhatewha and pouwhenua. These staffs were usually 1–2 metres in length and were commonly made of hard wood such as maire, rātā or kānuka. A taiaha was elaborately carved, often ornamented with red kākā feathers and waero (dog hair).
What is the difference between a Patu and a mere?
Patu were made from hardwood, whale bone, or stone. The most prestigious material for the patu was pounamu (greenstone). Patu made from pounamu were generally called “mere”. Maori decorated the patu by carving into the wood, bone or stone.
What type of wood is a taiaha made from?
hard wood
The best-known two-handed weapons are the taiaha, tewhatewha and pouwhenua. These staffs were usually 1–2 metres in length and were commonly made of hard wood such as maire, rātā or kānuka. A taiaha was elaborately carved, often ornamented with red kākā feathers and waero (dog hair).
What wood is a taiaha made out of?
What wood is used for taiaha?
What makes up the body of a taiaha?
The taiaha consists of the tinana (body), an upoko (head) and an arero (tongue) which comes out of the head. This beautiful taiaha is adorned with a collar of kākā feathers and hair from a kurī (Polynesian dog).
How big is the taiaha in New Zealand?
The Taiaha is a traditional weapon of the Māori of New Zealand, sharp on one end, with a slicing club on the other. An image of the weapon is incorporated into the official badge of the New Zealand Army. It was tested as one of the mid-range weapons of the Māori Warrior . The Taiaha is a wooden staff about 5 to 6 feet in length.
What are the names of the parts of the eye?
There are many parts of the eye. The anatomy of the eye includes the cornea, pupil, lens, sclera, conjunctiva and more.
What kind of weapon is the Taiaha Maori?
Two Māori men wielding taiaha. A taiaha (Māori pronunciation: [ˈtaiaha]) is a traditional weapon of the Māori of New Zealand; a close-quarters staff weapon made from either wood or whalebone, and used for short, sharp strikes or stabbing thrusts with efficient footwork on the part of the wielder.