‘Ulumaika

human history

‘Ulumaika. Bowling stone. Ground and polished from pōhaku (stone) into a disk of thick depth, similar in look to a puck. The two surfaces are evenly convex and slightly peaked. The ‘ulumaika stone is the same name as the game it was played. The game of ‘ulumaika was played on a kahua (prepared outdoor course) wherein two athletes threw their stone in a similar manner to bowling and the winner was determined by whose stone had been thrown the farthest along the kahua. This ‘ulumaika is a dark red-brown colour.

Accession number: 1931.126 Last Update: 14 Apr 2026
Other Name

Bowling stone (English)

Accession Number

1931.126

Accession Date

1931

Other Id

16317.1 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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5 Images
‘Ulumaika, 1931.126, 16317.1, Photographed by Denise Baynham, digital, 10 Mar 2018, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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