Fa'aaufala

Fa'aaufala. Mace club. This fa'aaufala is made from one piece of toa (ironwood). The handle of this fa'aaufala is cylindrical in shape and undecorated. Where the handle meets the blade are a set of five nifo (teeth) on each side. However seven of the nifo have been snapped off or damaged in some way leaving only three full sized and intact nifo. The blade of this 'au'upega is shaped like two diamonds connected end to end. The blade in general is long and flat and decorated entirely on both sides with mamanu (Samoan decorative motifs). The mamanu are comprised of triangular indents. Aside from the mamanu the surface of the blade is smooth and unpolished, retaining its natural brown colour. The term fa'aaufala can be understood in two separate terms. Fa'a meaning like or the shape of and aufala meaning pandanus fruit. Pandanus fruit are round and covered in knob/spike like protrusions. Although this fa'aaufala does not have a knobbly head, it's diamond shaped blade resembles the individual keys form the aufala. Fa'aaufala were created to be thrown using one or two hands.

Other Name

Mace club (English)

Place

Samoa/Pacific

Accession Number

1927.49

Accession Date

31 Mar 1927

Other Id

10662 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific