Tao

Tao. Barbed spear. This tao is made of three components: a length of wood for the shaft handle, a length of kieto (ebony wood) for the ulu tao (spear head) and a coil of pulu (cordage of coconut sennit fibres). The shaft is cylindrical in length and form with a polished surface that is light brown in colour. The ulu tao is of a dark brown, almost black colour and is matte in surface texture. Its length features carved fakanifonifo (serrated edging). It has come loose from the shaft. Attempts to reinforce the shaft can be portrayed by the eroded lengths of serrated metal beneath the coils of pule and wire.

Other Name

Barbed spear (English)

Place

Niue

Accession Number

1986.210

Accession Date

02 Sep 1986

Other Id

52139 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific