Artifact Number:
04810
Object:
CLUB
Newa, Pikoi
Material:
Stone Plant (fiber)
Dimensions:
18.8 cm 10.3 cm
Origin:
Hawaii, Hawaii, Polynesia
Comments:
Ancient stone newa bought in Kailua on October 31, 1885 from an old man, Nahalea of Hienaloli 3 for $1. It was found by him in 1884 at Kaupulehu, makai of the Government road in an old kahua hale, the stones of which were being removed to build a wall. The aha or cord of coconut fiber was attached to it in October 31, 1885 by Pila Poheepali who said that it was a weapon carried slung around the neck supported by the cord and concealed by the kihei. When wanted for use, the cord was twisted around the wrist and a deadly blow was dealt upon the head of the unsuspecting victim. (Emerson) Length 18.8 cm, maximum width 10.3 cm, weight 709 grams. Figure 219. (Summers) This composite weapon consists of a thin, flat piece of basalt that has been fashioned with care to attain desired weight and proportion. Its original form is not known, but its present state appears authentic for a club/flail weapon used at close quarters. The elaborate lashing at the neck of the weapon makes it impossible to determine if there is a perforation to anchor the cord loop. The loop is served with a 2-ply twisted fiber (coir), the loop is 2-ply (coir) braid. Some shiny bonding substance appears in the lashing, but may not be original to the weapon. It is probable that the present loop was an achor for a longer length of fiber cord by which the instrument was hung or attached to the user's body. This weapon is clearly of the club/flail variety. Whereas its use as a missile is possible, from the nature of its cord suspension it is probable that its use as a retrievable missile was not intended; coir fiber is much too brittle to sustain the forces of retrieving a weighty missle such as this; even its use as a flail at close-quarters would be limited to moments of opportunity rather than standard use. If its original form excluded the lashing and cord, its use as a simple hand-held club is supported by the lack of use or wear on its head; missile use would surely result in use and wear. This club handles nicely in a series of fast, accurate, continuous movements. (Drager 1977: OP 401)
Collection Name: J.S. Emerson Collection
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