Club

ClassificationsArms and Armor-clubs

Culture Fanla

Date19th Century

Made AtMalampa Province, Vanuatu

Collection SiteMalampa Province, Vanuatu

MediumWood and pigment

Dimensions22 × 11 1/2 × 3 in. (55.9 × 29.2 × 7.6 cm)

Credit LineBowers Museum Purchase

Object number2016.1.2

DescriptionPig killing clubs are implements used within Vanuatu’s complex hierarchical grade system. As pigs are of the utmost value both economically and ceremonially, a man would need to sacrifice pigs as part of his ascension through the grade hierarchy. This club was used for such a purpose. Its design and form are found both on Ambrym and Malekula, but other types of less elaborate clubs were used elsewhere. The club was field collected from the infamous Fanla Village leader, Chief Tofor.

On View

On view

Collections