Fijian Clubs for comment

Peter Andeweg · 17th August 2021, 10:12 AM

Hello John,

These are indeed 'Kiakavo' clubs from Fiji, among some collectors known as gunstock clubs. They are made from 'Casuarina equisetifolia' which is forcibly bounded to the ground to have it grown in the shape of the club.
The left one seems of the period when it was collected, the example on the right could be a little earlier, around 1900 perhaps. A way to study these is the use of tools which were used to decorate the clubs. Pre-contact clubs were carved with shells and shark tooth for example which can indicate it was early made. Later clubs were decorated with the use of nails and other iron or steel tools brought by the Europeans traders.
Kiakavo clubs are the most common in Fiji, they are used in ceremonial dancing rituals.

Best, Peter

17th August 2021, 10:12 AM	#2
Peter Andeweg Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Vlissingen, Netherlands Posts: 71	Hello John, These are indeed 'Kiakavo' clubs from Fiji, among some collectors known as gunstock clubs. They are made from 'Casuarina equisetifolia' which is forcibly bounded to the ground to have it grown in the shape of the club. The left one seems of the period when it was collected, the example on the right could be a little earlier, around 1900 perhaps. A way to study these is the use of tools which were used to decorate the clubs. Pre-contact clubs were carved with shells and shark tooth for example which can indicate it was early made. Later clubs were decorated with the use of nails and other iron or steel tools brought by the Europeans traders. Kiakavo clubs are the most common in Fiji, they are used in ceremonial dancing rituals. Best, Peter