Club (Gugu)

ClassificationsArms and Armor-clubs

Datemid 19th Century

Made AtNadroga-Navosa Province, Fiji

MediumWood

Dimensions44 × 7 × 2 1/2 in. (111.8 × 17.8 × 6.4 cm)
In stand: 45 1/4 × 7 7/16 × 5 in. (114.9 × 18.9 × 12.7 cm)

Credit LineBowers Museum Purchase

Object number2015.3.1

DescriptionClubs hold a place of esteem within Fijian culture. Most commonly made and used for warfare, clubs are seen as formidable items that could contribute to a warrior’s status and prestige. This club however was not made for war, but for ceremonial dances. Made of a lighter wood than those clubs manufactured as weapons, this club was made to emphasize a dancer’s motions.

Like other Fijian clubs, this club’s designs were inspired by nature. Known as a gugu, the club’s head is a stylized representation of the butterfly fish (Chaetodon tidae) that is native to the waters of Fiji. The bottom of the club head represents the head of the fish pointed downward. The fins are represented by the raised diagonal ridges at each side of the top of the club. These ridges separate from the fan-shaped tail that is represented by the crescent at the very top of the club’s head. These clubs have sometimes been called lotus or axe-bit clubs, but the current general scholarly consensus is that these identifications are incorrect.

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