Tewhatewha

Tukukino, 1878 by Gottfried Lindauer, oil on canvas. Gift of Mr H E Partridge, 1915. Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki (1915/2/56)

A tewhatewha is a long-handled Māori club weapon. It is shaped like an axe and, formerly used in battle, is now used in ceremonies. Like Pouwhenua and Taiaha, this long club was designed for scientific sparring and lightning strokes and thrusts, aided by quick footwork on the part of the wielder.^[1] The blows were not struck with the blade as one would with an axe, but rather with the thicker straight front edge. It was common for tewhatewha to be decorated with a bunch of split pigeon or hawk feathers which hang from a drilled hole near the lower edge of the extension. This decoration may have also had the added benefit of distracting or confusing the wielder's opponent.^[1]

Pei Te Hurinui Jones (1898-1976) holding tewhatewha. Detail of King Koroki Te Rata Mahuta Tawhiao Potatau Te Wherowhero and others by unknown photographer. Alexander Turnbull Library (PAColl-0671-01)

See also

• Mau rākau

Other Māori weapons

• Mere (weapon)
• Kotiate
• Taiaha
• Patu
• Pouwhenua

External links

• Tewhatewha in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hiroa, Te Rangi (1949). "Long Clubs". The Coming of the Maori. Maori Purposes Fund Board. Retrieved 20 November 2011.