Gata (weapon)

The gata or gata waka is a war club from Fiji.

Uses in Fiji Usually cut from hardwood, it has a snakeFrancesco Pellizzi, Anthropology and Aesthetics, 57/58: Spring/Autumn 2010 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.Hélène Goiran, Les rôles politiques des militaires fidjiens Its shape is very similar to the kiakavo used for dancing.Susan Cochrane, Max Quanchi, Hunting the Collectors: Pacific Collections in Australian Museums, p.46

Gallery

See also Bulibuli Culacula 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, 1982. Bulletin of the Fiji Museum, Numeros 1–2, Fiji Museum, 1973.

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