Moto Saisai

Moto Saisai. Pronged spear. Carved from a single piece of kau (wood), round in cross-section and with the ulu ni moto (spearhead) detached from the tolo ni moto (body of the spear). Lawa ni moto (woven decoration) is wrapped around the tolo ni moto (body of the spear) from the butt-end to the lower/centre area. The woven area consists of between 5 to 6 sections of magimagi (coconut sennit), tali tolu (3-ply), with each section of magimagi arranged in a way to form a pattern, including diamond-shaped patterns. There are also 12 wide strips of voivoi (pandanus) wrapped around the lower area of the tolo ni moto. The ulu ni moto (spearhead) consists of four prongs made of kau (wood) with thick base ends that taper towards pointed mata ni moto (eye of the spearhead; spear-point). There are multiple braids and cords woven from magimagi (coconut sennit) that are bound around the thicker ends of the prongs, and with coga (barbs) carved near the narrow ends of each prong. There are also vesa ni moto (decoration across the spear) consisting of two tufts made of wool, one is dyed-blue, and the other is natural in colour. Each tuft is bound to the prong with a strip of plant-fibre. There is another prong with a dyed-blue tuft that is bound to the prong with a strip of plant fibre. There are strips of plant-fibre that are wrapped and tied, towards the pointed tips of three prongs. There is a bundle of vau (wild hibiscus) strips placed in-between the prongs towards the thick ends. "14781.2" is handwritten in white ink near the centre of two prongs. "14781" is handwritten in white ink near the centre of a prong. "EP. 052 14781.1 VANUA LEVU FIJI" is handwritten in white ink near the centre of the tolo ni moto. Brown in colour. Good condition overall.