FUN FIJI FACTS 12

I  WAU

(hand-held clubs)

In War they are fearless and savage to the utmost degree, but in peace their disposition is mild and generous towards their friends, and the affection they bear towards their relatives is seldom found among Europeans.

-- William Lockerby

Marooned in Fiji in 1808

To a Fijian warrior, his club was a revered and cherished possession. Made from hardwood that was extremely abundant on these islands, there were a variety of clubs made for specific practices and purposes. Clubs were basically classified as dance and ceremonial, throwing, pole, root, broad-paddle, and fan-shaped. Clubs were generally decorated, often with regional motifs, and “kills were indicated by the inlaying of human teeth or ivory around the head, or by cutting notches on the grip. A club with many kills to its credit was thought to have achieved its own "mana," with power and life of its own. Clubs reaching this level of regard were donated to the temple and gods of war, where they figured as ritual objects in funerary rites and certain craft ceremonies.” [1]


A few types of Fijian clubs:

gadi - a small ornamental club for ceremonial occasions during peace times, it was carried by chiefs.

bowai  - pole clubs used for breaking bones and general disabling blows.

cali (also known as sali or tebetebe) - sometimes called "gun stock" clubs because of their shape, these clubs were designed for cutting and disjointing blows.  Generally very heavy clubs, a lighter version, known as the kiakavo, was made to use in war dances as seen in the picture at the top of this blog.

i ula - throwing clubs with short handles and bulbous heads. These were the most deadly Fijian weapon, capable of competing with revolvers in close situations. If the handle struck the victim first it could penetrate flesh, the heavy head then jack-knifing onto the victim even if the handle did not pierce him, thus dealing a crippling, if not a finishing blow. [2]

The violence of the days in which these clubs were used has now faded and the people of Fiji are truly welcoming to its visitors.  So after such an intense topic for the blog today, I thought the following phrase might be something appropriate to learn:

English           Fijian (pronunciation)
no worries     sega na leqa (seng-ah nah leg-ah)

[1] Fowler, John, “Fiji, The Warrior Archipelago”, www.tribalsite.com
[2] www.polynesianculturalcenter.com
[3] www.museumvictoria.com.au