THE WHALE BOOM STARTED AROUND SAMOA IN 1820 TO 1860. THE WHALEING FLEETS WERE THE BIGGEST FROM 1845 TO 1855 BUT THE HIGHT OF THE BOOM WAS 1832 TO 1839.
I WAS WONDERING IF THE TUFTS OF HAIR ON THE GRIP OF SOME CLUBS WAS FROM ANCESTORS AND THERE FOR SPIRITUAL HELP AND PROTECTION IN BATTLE. ANCESTORS WERE VERY IMPORTANT AND THE AMOUNT OF MANA A OLD WARRIOR OR CHIEF WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT BUT I FOUND NO CONFIRMATION OF HAIR OR OTHER THINGS BEING USED ON WEAPONS.
I DID FIND IN PORTERS WRITINGS THIS ( WHEN A CHIEF WENT TO VISIT ANOTHER TRIBE THE CANOE WAS PROFUSELY DECORATED. ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGEOUS DECORATIONS WAS LOCKS OF HUMAN HAIR INTERMIXED WITH BUNCHES OF GREY BEARD HAIR. BUNCHES OF GREY BEARD HAIR ARE ORNAMENTS HELD IN THE GREATEST ESTIMATION AMONG THEM.) SO PERHAPS THE GREY HAIR ON THE GRIP OF THE LAST EXAMPLE IS PARTIALY EXPLAINED. NOT BY THE HAIR OF MY CHINNY CHIN CHIN
