Artifact Number:
04792
Object:
CLUB
Pikoi, Ikoi
Material:
Plant (wood)
Dimensions:
L: 23 cm
Origin:
Kauai, Hawaii, Polynesia
Comments:
Wooden Pikoi bought on October 8, 1886 from M. P. Ailau. Found in a stream in Hanamaulu near governor Kanoa's country house by the letter carrier, Kahele, after a freshet. Supposed to have been washed down from some cave. When found it had six fathoms of coconut rope (aha) attached to it. Anciently used in the lua to entangle the legs of a man. (Emerson) Pikoi undetermined wood. A hole 0.5 cm in diameter is located 3.0 cm from the apex. A trough runs from the hole to just above the base. A thin, 2-ply olona cord is fastened through ahole in the base area. Length 23 cm, diameter 12.1 by 9.2 cm, weight 1149 grams. Figure 211. This weapon is catalogued as a bait stick, la'au melomelo. (Summers) Apparently carved froma piece of straight-grained wood with considerable care taken to achieve proportion; finished surfaces show careful workmanship. Appears to have been fire-hardened all over with specific attention at the apex to ensure a non-splitting seat for the cord. May have served as a domestic utility tool. Nevertheless, this well balanced implement, used as a weapon, indicates some systematic manner of use by trained fighting man. Though this weapon can be slung by use of an attached cord, it is also possible that it was gripped and slung directly from the hand; the carved trough gives adequate purchase to the hand. Small loops of the cord may have served to hang the implement when not in use. (Draeger 1977: OP 21)
Collection Name: J.S. Emerson Collection
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