A pronged wooden weapon?

apolaki · 27th September 2017, 10:05 PM

Does anyone have an idea what this could be? It's quite heavy and looks fierce! Thanks for any leads.

shayde78 · 27th September 2017, 10:23 PM

The carving looks Fijian, but I've never seen the end split like that on a Fijian club/ula. It does look intentionally split, but I am not familiar with that form.

It almost looks like a stylized squid shape.

shayde78 · 27th September 2017, 10:59 PM

So I found a similar styled item called a 'cannibal fork'. Thoughts?

Here is a description (from http://www.weirduniverse.net/blog/co...annibal_forks/ ):
The cannibal fork, or iculanibokola, was used by attendants during ritual feasts to feed individuals considered too holy to touch food. These forks arose for several reasons. First is a cultural taboo that prohibits chiefs and priests from touching food with their hands. Common Fijians generally did not use utensils until Europeanization. One of the most important ceremonies a chieftain participated in was the devouring of their or the tribes enemy. Combining the significance of the event and the inability to use their hands the chiefs needed a way to participate-hence the development of the cannibal fork. Forks became a way to show power and influence. The fancier more elaborate the fork, the higher status the owner had.

Sajen · 27th September 2017, 11:16 PM

Yes, it is a so called "canibal fork" from Fiji. But I doubt that it is an antique one, the real antique ones are extreme expensive.
Picture examples taken from the net, don't know if this are antique examples.

Regards,
Detlef

David · 4th October 2017, 08:18 PM

Might i suggest that since this is an eating implement, not a weapon, that this thread be moved to the Miscellania Forum?

Sajen · 4th October 2017, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Might i suggest that since this is an eating implement, not a weapon, that this thread be moved to the Miscellania Forum?

Hi David,

certainly yes!

27th September 2017, 10:05 PM	#1
apolaki Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 160	A pronged wooden weapon? Does anyone have an idea what this could be? It's quite heavy and looks fierce! Thanks for any leads. Attached Images

27th September 2017, 10:59 PM	#3
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	So I found a similar styled item called a 'cannibal fork'. Thoughts? Here is a description (from http://www.weirduniverse.net/blog/co...annibal_forks/ ): The cannibal fork, or iculanibokola, was used by attendants during ritual feasts to feed individuals considered too holy to touch food. These forks arose for several reasons. First is a cultural taboo that prohibits chiefs and priests from touching food with their hands. Common Fijians generally did not use utensils until Europeanization. One of the most important ceremonies a chieftain participated in was the devouring of their or the tribes enemy. Combining the significance of the event and the inability to use their hands the chiefs needed a way to participate-hence the development of the cannibal fork. Forks became a way to show power and influence. The fancier more elaborate the fork, the higher status the owner had. Attached Images

27th September 2017, 11:16 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Yes, it is a so called "canibal fork" from Fiji. But I doubt that it is an antique one, the real antique ones are extreme expensive. Picture examples taken from the net, don't know if this are antique examples. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

27th September 2017, 10:23 PM	#2
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	The carving looks Fijian, but I've never seen the end split like that on a Fijian club/ula. It does look intentionally split, but I am not familiar with that form. It almost looks like a stylized squid shape.

4th October 2017, 08:18 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	Might i suggest that since this is an eating implement, not a weapon, that this thread be moved to the Miscellania Forum?