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Tao

human history
  • Other Name

    Barbed spear (English)

  • Description

    Tao. Barbed spear. This tao is made of three components: a length of wood for the shaft handle, a length of kieto (ebony wood) for the ulu tao (spear head) and a coil of pulu (cordage of coconut sennit fibres), lau ulu (human hair) and red cloth. The shaft is cylindrical in length and form with a polished surface that is light brown in colour. The ulu tao is of a dark brown, almost black colour and is matte in surface texture.

    Its length features carved fakanifonifo (serrated edging) beginning with four large points and then a pattern of smaller points towards the tip of the ulu tao. A carved chevron pattern decorates the base of the ulu tao. Both the shaft and ulu tao components have been joined together with a coiled length of red cloth and then a coil of pulu and lau ulu over the top. Parts of the coiled pulu and lau ulu show the presence of feathers that have disintegrated over time. Both coils are loose and portray fibrous ends.

  • Place
    Niue
  • Accession Date
    1891
  • Other Id

    10924 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

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