Club (Iula Drisia)

ClassificationsArms and Armor-clubs

Date1860-1904

Made AtFiji

MediumWood and human tooth

Dimensions15 1/4 x 3 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. (38.7 x 8.6 x 8.6 cm)

Credit LineGift of Diana Springer

Object number2012.19.3

DescriptionWarfare was a constant feature throughout Fijian history, even into the 19th Century, but many weapons’ decorations saw more effort than their utility. Even as weapons intended to break bones and kill, clubs filled an equally important symbolic role as items of immense power in Fiji. These clubs were almost exclusively decorated with intricate carvings or ivory or shell inlays, making them important symbols of status for their owners and valuable exchange items. Iula drisia are a variant of the iula tavatava with spherical heads. Despite their name, missile club were sometimes used as melee weapons, but their intended use as a thrown weapon was far deadlier. This particular Iula Drisia sets itself apart with an embedded tooth in the handle.

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