The taiaha consists of the tinana (body), an upoko (head) and an arero (tongue) which comes out of the head. This beautiful taiaha is adorned with a collar of kākā feathers and hair from a kurī (Polynesian dog). The purpose of the collar was both to add to the beauty of the weapon and to distract the wielder's opponent during battle.
Using this item
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference:
ME000020
Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
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