Gata (weapon)

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

Uses in Fiji

Usually cut from hardwood, it has a snake 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. Its shape is very similar to the ''kiakavo'' used for dancing.Susan Cochrane, Max Quanchi, ''Hunting the Collectors: Pacific Collections in Australian Museums'', p.46

Gallery

File:H000293- Club.jpg, Gata
File:Two Fijian warriors, photograph by Burton Brothers, 1884.jpg, Fijian warriors, the one on the right with a gata
File:Gata waka Fidji 2.jpg, 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

See also

* Totokia
* Ula
* Sali
* Culacula
* Bulibuli

Throwing clubs
Clubs (weapon)
Primitive weapons
Ritual weapons
Fijian culture

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