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Tao

human history
  • Other Name

    Taohoehoe (Niuean)

    Taomataua (Niuean)

    Spear (English)

  • Description

    Tao. Spear. This tao consists of a long cylindrical wooden shaft which is missing an ulu tao (spear head). Ulu tao are usually carved from kieto (ebony) and lashed to one end of the shaft with pulu (coconut sennit). The shaft for this tao is smooth in surface treatment and light brown in colour. It is slightly bowed in profile and is reduced in width towards the base.

    The shaft is lighter in colour around one end around one end where pulu would be wrapped around to fasten the ulu tao. The inner cavity in which the ulu tao is inserted is visible at this end of the shaft.

  • Place
    Niue
  • Accession Date
    Unknown
  • Other Id

    14731.1 (ethnology)

    M7 (Edge-Partington)

  • Department

    Pacific

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