A wahaika is a traditional Māori weapon from New Zealand, often used as a short club or striking weapon in combat. The word wahaika literally means "mouth of a fish", which refers to the shape of the weapon. This attribute was not only used as a weapon but also had ceremonial and symbolic significance.
Characteristics:
* Material: The wahaika was usually made of wood, but some examples have been made of walrus tusk or bone.
* Shape: It has a characteristic, flat, and slightly curved shape with a broad head and a narrow handle. Often the weapon contains a small carved figure or face at the base of the blade, which added mana (spiritual power).
* Use: The weapon was suitable for hand-to-hand combat and was used to strike, stab or disarm opponents. It was light and easy to handle.
* Status symbol: Carrying a wahaika could indicate the status and rank of a warrior or leader. Ceremonial versions were often richly decorated. Today the wahaika is also a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of the Māori and is preserved as a treasured art object in museums or as an heirloom within families.

Welcome addition to any collection of tribal New Guinea Art/oceanic art

We pack securely sending worldwide

Sold by Koos Knol, ethnographer and anthropologist, dealer of Papua Tribal Art for more than 30 years, expert and author of the book “Papua Blues”, written in Dutch. (Maybe in English next year.)  Published end of October 2024
A book about inside stories, a book that deals with the many encounters with special people in West Papua, the impressive experiences that the author has, about special encounters with men and women who tell him about secret things, about ethnographic objects and initiate him into the rituals and ceremonies.
A must have for collectors, ethnographers, ethnologists, anthropologists and museums
 
Google:Papua Blues Koos Knol
#ttdec

Seller's Story

my wife Paula van den Berg and I, Koos Tuber, both anthropologists, traveling a lot through Papua New Guinea and West Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Solomon Islands and Vanuatu (formerly New Hebrides). We love local tribal arts, we collected thousands and thousands of artifacts, all authentic, sometimes old, sometimes more recently but mainly used objects in local traditional cultures. We are happy to give more detailed information about the artifacts we sell here on Catawiki. Please feel free to contact us.
Translated by Google Translate

A wahaika is a traditional Māori weapon from New Zealand, often used as a short club or striking weapon in combat. The word wahaika literally means "mouth of a fish", which refers to the shape of the weapon. This attribute was not only used as a weapon but also had ceremonial and symbolic significance.
Characteristics:
* Material: The wahaika was usually made of wood, but some examples have been made of walrus tusk or bone.
* Shape: It has a characteristic, flat, and slightly curved shape with a broad head and a narrow handle. Often the weapon contains a small carved figure or face at the base of the blade, which added mana (spiritual power).
* Use: The weapon was suitable for hand-to-hand combat and was used to strike, stab or disarm opponents. It was light and easy to handle.
* Status symbol: Carrying a wahaika could indicate the status and rank of a warrior or leader. Ceremonial versions were often richly decorated. Today the wahaika is also a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of the Māori and is preserved as a treasured art object in museums or as an heirloom within families.

Welcome addition to any collection of tribal New Guinea Art/oceanic art

We pack securely sending worldwide

Sold by Koos Knol, ethnographer and anthropologist, dealer of Papua Tribal Art for more than 30 years, expert and author of the book “Papua Blues”, written in Dutch. (Maybe in English next year.)  Published end of October 2024
A book about inside stories, a book that deals with the many encounters with special people in West Papua, the impressive experiences that the author has, about special encounters with men and women who tell him about secret things, about ethnographic objects and initiate him into the rituals and ceremonies.
A must have for collectors, ethnographers, ethnologists, anthropologists and museums
 
Google:Papua Blues Koos Knol
#ttdec

Seller's Story

my wife Paula van den Berg and I, Koos Tuber, both anthropologists, traveling a lot through Papua New Guinea and West Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Solomon Islands and Vanuatu (formerly New Hebrides). We love local tribal arts, we collected thousands and thousands of artifacts, all authentic, sometimes old, sometimes more recently but mainly used objects in local traditional cultures. We are happy to give more detailed information about the artifacts we sell here on Catawiki. Please feel free to contact us.
Translated by Google Translate
Indigenous object name
Wahaika
Ethnic group/ culture
Maori
No. of items
1
Country of Origin
New Zealand
Period
Mid 20th century
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Excellent condition
Title of artwork
Wooden club
Height
35 cm
Width
12 cm
Depth
3.5 cm
Provenance
Private Collection

1393 reviews (227 in last 12 months)
  1. 215
  2. 5
  3. 7

Another great item and great seller 👍

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Tribalcollector

Super contact and items are packed with great care

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user-9704b3c2a722

Overseas transaction was very smooth; communication was cordial and reassuring; item sent very quickly and arrived safely; Very Happy. Erg blij. Bedankt :)

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user-0dac16e402de

Article conforme à l'annonce, bien emballé. Expédition rapide. Merci

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user-e3872801e160

Heel blij met de aankoop. Het voorwerp was heel snel afgeleverd. Heeft een mooie plek gekregen.

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user-929a61e9c5b9

The object was broken, luckily I could fix it Ridiculous packaging for such a fragile item

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ciaomore

Objet bien emballé et conforme aux photos et descriptif

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user-685490d5bab6

Merci beaucoup Koos, un merveilleux masque Baba maintenant dans mon foyer. Grand merci pour la qualité de tes œuvres et le respect que tu apporte à ces objets- présences et leurs peuples.

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user-f2dc14a
Seller's response

Avec plaisir Romuald

rapide, sérieux et efficace : excellent

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user-41b1e00

Very beautiful item. Perfect.

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user-029237bf4df8

Uitstekende transactie. Hartelijk dank!

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user-d90268131fd5

A fine object, superbly packed, thank you!

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user-22c9609

broken item !!! - because absolutely inadequate packaging.....no answer from the seller - everything very disappointing...... not at all Catawiki standard - just the item was beautiful......

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finnundsissi
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1393 reviews (227 in last 12 months)
  1. 215
  2. 5
  3. 7