Gata (weapon)

The Gata or Gata waka is a war club from Fiji.

Head of Gata waka

Uses in Fiji

Usually cut from hardwood, it has a snake[1] or rifle shaped head. The word gata means snake in Fijian language. This weapon can be used for war but also for traditional dances and ceremonies.[2] Its shape is very similar to the kiakavo used for dancing.[3]

  • Gata
  • Fijian warriors, the one on the right with a gata
  • A gata waka club or a kiakavo for dancing

Bibliography
  • John Charles Edler, Terence Barrow, Art of Polynesia, Hemmeter Publishing Corporation, 1990.
  • Rod Ewins, Fijian Artefacts: The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Collection, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, 1982.
  • Bulletin of the Fiji Museum, Numeros 1–2, Fiji Museum, 1973.

References
  1. Francesco Pellizzi, Anthropology and Aesthetics, 57/58: Spring/Autumn 2010
  2. Hélène Goiran, Les rôles politiques des militaires fidjiens
  3. Susan Cochrane, Max Quanchi, Hunting the Collectors: Pacific Collections in Australian Museums, p.46

See also


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