Fiji Hill Tribe Walking/Fighting Staff

A very long and simple pole-club, possibly an enlarged Bowai (Povai, Gadi). These are said to be chiefly walking sticks used notable by the mountain tribes;  however, I have no information to confirm this information. The grip is unusually long and finely carved with the classical zigzag motifs. While reminiscent of the Samoan chiefly orators staff the ornamentation here is definitely of Fijian style.

Fiji, Polynesia. 
Ironwood (Casuarina equisetifolia) with a fine patina of age and use.
151 cm. 
XIXth century.

 

Literature: One other example is in the British Museum inv. N° Oc.66 formally in the Henry Christy collection, but without further collection data.

Pub. : CASSE-TÊTE II : ARMES ET ARMEMENTS DE L'OCÉANIE. Exhibition catalogue, Gal. Meyer, Paris, 2022, pages 196-197.