i Ula

human history

i Ula. Throwing club. i Ula are carved from the rootstock of a hardwood tree. It is intended as a weapon that can be gripped in the hand or thrown in short range distances at assailants. This i Ula consists of a ball-shaped head and long slender handle that flares slightly towards the butt. The head of the i Ula is heavy and uneven with slight depressions and fine cracks visible in the surface. It has deep fissures due to the naturally formed rootstock. Tavatava (shallow incisions) zigzag in design, is carved in light relief all around the lower half of the handle with areas where the design is not carved clearly. The handle also has fine cracks along its length. Cracks are visible at the butt. The butt is slightly concave. The i Ula is dark brown in colour and has a glossy patina.

Accession number: 1929.32 Last Update: 20 Sept 2018
Other Name

Throwing club (English)

Place
Fiji
Accession Number

1929.32

Accession Date

21 Feb 1929

Other Id

3532 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

Enquire API view
9 Images
i Ula, 1929.32, 3532, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 15 Sep 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
View gallery ( 9)