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Tao

human history
  • Other Name

    Spear (English)

  • Description

    Tao. Spear. This is a carved tao made from pau (manilkara wood). The handle has a smooth surface and is not polished or decorated. The butt of the handle is flat. A nail protrudes from the butt which is further wrapped in a piece of brown twine. The handle widens to a three-sided spearhead. Both the base and tip of the spear are serrated. The remainder of the spear head is ornately carved using hooked tala (barbs).

    These tala are angled in various directions to ensure the most damage when used against an opponent. This style of carving was not only lethal but doubled as a unique decorative feature. This tao would also have been referred to as tala-o-le-lo (spine of the lo fish) or a compound spear. This tao was among the most prized 'au'upega (weapon of war) and reserved for ali'i (high chiefs) and toa Samoa (Samoan warriors).

  • Place
    Samoa/Pacific
  • Accession Number
    1931.126
  • Accession Date
    1931
  • Other Id

    16327 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

spear, 1931.126, 16327, Cultural Permissions Apply

Images and documents

Images

  • spear, 1931.126, 16327, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • spear, 1931.126, 16327, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • spear, 1931.126, 16327, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • spear, 1931.126, 16327, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • spear, 1931.126, 16327, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • spear, 1931.126, 16327, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • spear, 1931.126, 16327, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • spear, 1931.126, 16327, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • spear, 1931.126, 16327, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • spear, 1931.126, 16327, Cultural Permissions Apply

Artefact

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