Ao

Ao. Dance paddle. This is an ao made from one piece of mako'i (type of wood. Species may be extinct). The wood is a brown colour with a smooth, polished surface. The ao has a blade on either side of the narrow and cylindrical handle. The blades are wide and rounded. One blade has a conical protrusion at the tip. This blade is also incised with rongorongo (glyphs). The opposite blade is carved with a face that depicts the Rapa Nui God Makemake. An ao was used in a traditional performance from Rapa Nui. Ao were also given individual names once they were used in a performance.

Other Name

Dance paddle (English)

Place

Rapa Nui (Easter Island)/Polynesia/Pacific

Accession Number

1938.16

Accession Date

1938

Other Id

23649 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific