NEW HEBRIDES CLUB FORMS

[VANDOO]

HERE ARE TWO OF THE INTERESTING FORM OF CLUBS FROM THE NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS. THEY ARE MADE OF A VERY HEAVY HARD WOOD AND HAVE A SRACE FOR THE GRIP USUALLY WRAPPED WITH SOME SORT OF FIBER CORD. OFTEN THE CORDS ARE MADE OF HUMAN HAIR BUT OTHER FIBERS MAY BE USED OR MISSING ENTIRELY. VANAUATU AND TANA ARE TWO ISLANDS HAVING THESE FORMS.
#1., #2., & #3. 105 CM. LONG, VANAUATU, GRIP WRAPPED WITH HUMAN HAIR CORD. NEW HEBRIDES STAFF CLUB.
#4. 119 CM. NEW HEBRIDES STAFF CLUB
#5., #6., #7. & #8. 116 CM., TANA ISLAND NEW HEBRIDES
#. 9. VANAUATU STAFF CLUB, NEW HEBRIDES.
#10., #11. & #12. 87 CM. LONG DIFFERENT FORM, VANAUATU , NEW HEBRIDES.

[VANDOO]

TWELVE MORE EXAMPLES AND VARIATIONS OF NEW HEBRIDES CLUBS
#1. 19TH. CENTURY VANATU, CLUB BUTT DESIGN SMALL PICTURE
#2 & #3. VANUATU, 21.5 INCHES LONG, MAY BE A CLUB OR NOT
#4., #5 & #6. CIRCA 1880, VANUATU 39 INCHES LONG
#7., #8. & #9. TWO NEW HEBRIDES CLUBS WITH THE DISTINCTIVE CARVINGS ON THE CLUB BUTTS. 42 INCHES AND 38 INCHES LONG
#10. NEW HEBRIDES CLUB VARIATION
#11. NEW HEBRIDES CLUB VARIATION
#12. NEW HEBRIDES CLUB VARIATION

[VANDOO]

#1. NEW HEBRIDES VARIATION ,VANUATU
#2. VARIATIONS OF CLUB GRIPS, VANUATU
#3. VARIATIONS OF CLUB HEADS COMPARISONS, VANUATU
#4. VANUATU CLUB VARIATIONS.

[Battara]

Fascinating! I see some similarity in form to those further east in eastern Polynesian regions.

[VANDOO]

THANKS FOR THE COMMENT JOSE , FEW ARE MADE ON THESE POSTS
THERE IS QUITE A LOT OF VARIATION IN CLUBS FROM THE VARIOUS ISLAND GROUPS IN THE AREA. LIFE WAS MUCH THE SAME FROM ISLAND TO ISLAND BUT CUSTOMS AND ESPECIALLY REGALIA AND WEAPONS THOUGH SIMILAR COULD VARY QUITE A LOT. THESE CLUBS HAVE ENOUGH LENGTH FOR A FENCING AND PARRYING STYLE OF COMBAT INSTEAD OF CLOSE IN FIGHTING. THEY ARE LIGHT WEIGHT NOT LARGE BONE CRUSHERS OR BREAKERS LIKE THOSE FROM SOME ISLANDS NOTABLY FIJI. I WOULD CLASSIFY THEM AS MACE LIKE IN FUNCTION AND DUE TO THE LENGTH AND WEIGHT A FAST WEAPON. I DON'T KNOW THE MEANING OF THE CARVED DECORATION ON SOME OF THE BUTTS OF THESE CLUBS BUT AS FAR AS I KNOW IT IS UNIQUE TO OLDER NEW HEBRIDES CLUBS.
PERHAPS SOME OTHER MEMBERS MAY ADD A FEW OF THEIR CLUBS.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Hello Vandoo.. I have to say that your chosen specialty is indeed amazing. This is where it all began and I find your posts excellent though I have no idea where to begin in supporting it..I have a brilliant book on the subject but its in German!! I understand that in the two clubs shown below the more ornate lighter brown one is much older...
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[VANDOO]

THE BROWN PADDLE SHAPED CLUB YOU SHOW IS SHOWN IN SECTION ONE PAGE 139 OF EDGE PARTINGTON'S EXCELLENT BOOK. THE ONE PICTURED IS AN EXCELLENT OLD EXAMPLE OF A RARER FORM OF NEW HEBRIDES CLUB.
THE SECOND CLUB IS OF A TYPE SEEN MORE OFTEN IN VARYING FORMS.
THE CLUBS WITH THE FLAT BUTT WITH A CARVED DESIGN MAY COME MOSTLY FROM ERROMANGO ISLAND, NEW HEBRIDES. THANKS FOR POSTING THEM.

THE FIRST TWO PICTURED IN THE POST MAY COME FROM TANNA ISLAND. I SUSPECT SIMILAR CLUBS WERE FOUND ON ISLANDS IN THE REGION DUE TO WAR BOOTY , TRADE OR COPYING THE FORM.
PICTURE #1. #2. & #3. A UNUSUAL NEW HEBRIDES CLUB FORM , THE CLOSEST I HAVE FOUND TO IT IS IN PARTINGTONS ON PAGE 135 FIRST SECTION.

[VANDOO]

PICTURE #1., #2., #3. ONE OF MY CLUBS. NEW HEBRIDES , EITHER API OR MALLICOLLA ISLAND. 43 INCHES LONG. MISSING THE LUG AT THE BUTT OF THE CLUB AND THE FIBER AND HUMAN HAIR CORD WRAP. GOOD PATINA A LARGE HEAVY CLUB IRONWOOD. PICTURE #5 CLUB BUTT WOULD BE SIMILAR IF COMPLETE.
#4., #5., #6. 40 INCHES, PENTECOST OR AMBRYN ISLAND NEW HEBRIDES.
#7., #8., #9. TWO VARIATIONS OF MY NEW HEBRIDES CLUBS
#10., # 11., #12. ANOTHER VARIATION OF MINE SHOWING THE DESIGN ON THE CLUB BUTT. AND THE CLUB WITH TWO OTHER NEW HEBRIDES CLUBS.

[VANDOO]

A FEW MORE CLUBS IDENTIFIED AS FROM NEW HEBRIDES. THESE FORMS PROBABLY OCCUR ON OTHER GROUPS OF ISLANDS IN THE AREA AS WELL.
#1., #2., #3. TWO CLUB VARIATIONS
#4., #5., #6. TWO MORE SIMILAR VARIATIONS.
#7. 1774 OLD WEAPONS PRINT, VANUATU

[VANDOO]

#1. PICTURE OF MAP SHOWING NEW HEBRIDES SPECIFICALLY
#2. PICTURE OF THE REGION SHOWING OTHER ISLAND GROUPS.
#3. & #4 MY CLUB IDENTIFIED AS FROM NEW BRITAIN, SULKA TRIBE BUT IS VERY SIMILAR TO A NEW HEBRIDES CLUB SHOWN ABOVE BUT MINE IS MORE RECENT BUT NOT NEW.

[BANDOOK]

Originally Posted by VANDOO

PICTURE #1., #2., #3. ONE OF MY CLUBS. NEW HEBRIDES , EITHER API OR MALLICOLLA ISLAND. 43 INCHES LONG. MISSING THE LUG AT THE BUTT OF THE CLUB AND THE FIBER AND HUMAN HAIR CORD WRAP. GOOD PATINA A LARGE HEAVY CLUB IRONWOOD. PICTURE #5 CLUB BUTT WOULD BE SIMILAR IF COMPLETE.
#4., #5., #6. 40 INCHES, PENTECOST OR AMBRYN ISLAND NEW HEBRIDES.
#7., #8., #9. TWO VARIATIONS OF MY NEW HEBRIDES CLUBS
#10., # 11., #12. ANOTHER VARIATION OF MINE SHOWING THE DESIGN ON THE CLUB BUTT. AND THE CLUB WITH TWO OTHER NEW HEBRIDES CLUBS.

HI VANDOO
HERE IS ONE WHICH I OWN SIMILAR TO YOUR TYPE,ITS QUIET HEAVY BUT DONT KNOW AGE,COULD BE USED AS A CEREMONIAL CLUB AS OPPOSED TO A WAR CLUB.
LENGTH IS 47 INCHES
WIDTH 3 INCHES

[VANDOO]

A VERY NICE EXAMPLE AND WITH NO DAMAGE. MY EXAMPLE IS MADE OF A VERY HEAVY HARD WOOD AND WOULD BE TOO HEAVY FOR ANY LONG CEREMONIES OR DANCES, AT LEAST IT WOULD BE FOR ME. I SUSPECT THEY WERE ORIGINALLY WAR CLUBS AND IN THESE TWO EXAMPLES RETAIN THE ORIGINAL MATERIALS AND FORM EVEN IF MADE AFTER THE TIMES WHEN WAR CLUBS WERE STILL IN USE. I AM SURE THE SHAPE HAS TRIBAL MEANING OR REPRESENTS SOMETHING IN THE SPIRITUAL WORLD OR NATURE A SPIRAL SHELL PERHAPS? WAS IT A SPECIAL CLUB CARRIED ONLY BY A CHIEF OR ONLY AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS OR A FORM OF CLUB ANYONE COULD OWN AND USE. UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE LEFT MOSTLY WITH CONJECTURE AND GUESS ON ALL THESE QUESTIONS. THANKS FOR POSTING THE VERY COOL CLUB.

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by VANDOO

#1. PICTURE OF MAP SHOWING NEW HEBRIDES SPECIFICALLY
#2. PICTURE OF THE REGION SHOWING OTHER ISLAND GROUPS.
#3. & #4 MY CLUB IDENTIFIED AS FROM NEW BRITAIN, SULKA TRIBE BUT IS VERY SIMILAR TO A NEW HEBRIDES CLUB SHOWN ABOVE BUT MINE IS MORE RECENT BUT NOT NEW.

#3/#4 reminds me of this club of mine; i have not been sure where it came from. guess i do now

[VANDOO]

A NICE EXAMPLE AND I AGREE ITS LIKELY FROM THE SAME GENERAL AREA AND TRIBAL GROUP AS MY EXAMPLE. NO DOUBT THERE ARE SIMILAR FORMS THRU-OUT THE REGION AND PERHAPS TRADE FROM ISLAND TO ISLAND AND TRIBE TO TRIBE SO SIMILARITY'S NO DOUBT DO EXIST.

[BANDOOK]

Originally Posted by VANDOO

A VERY NICE EXAMPLE AND WITH NO DAMAGE. MY EXAMPLE IS MADE OF A VERY HEAVY HARD WOOD AND WOULD BE TOO HEAVY FOR ANY LONG CEREMONIES OR DANCES, AT LEAST IT WOULD BE FOR ME. I SUSPECT THEY WERE ORIGINALLY WAR CLUBS AND IN THESE TWO EXAMPLES RETAIN THE ORIGINAL MATERIALS AND FORM EVEN IF MADE AFTER THE TIMES WHEN WAR CLUBS WERE STILL IN USE. I AM SURE THE SHAPE HAS TRIBAL MEANING OR REPRESENTS SOMETHING IN THE SPIRITUAL WORLD OR NATURE A SPIRAL SHELL PERHAPS? WAS IT A SPECIAL CLUB CARRIED ONLY BY A CHIEF OR ONLY AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS OR A FORM OF CLUB ANYONE COULD OWN AND USE. UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE LEFT MOSTLY WITH CONJECTURE AND GUESS ON ALL THESE QUESTIONS. THANKS FOR POSTING THE VERY COOL CLUB.

Thanks Vandoo,This is quiet heavy and kept handy at the entrance as could give a good blow ,if needed to the unwelcome visitor,COULD YOU TELL ME THE AREA IT COMES FROM IN NEW HEBRIDES,CHEERS

[VANDOO]

#1. #2., & #3. THREE CLUBS, NEW HEBRIDES KNOWN TODAY AS VANUATU, 103 CM., 99 CM. , 93 CM. LONG
#4. NEW HEBRIDES CLUB 41.5 CM. LONG
#5. VANUATU PADDLE CLUB 19TH. CENTURY 51.5 INCHES LONG.
#6.FOUR CLUBS, TWO FROM NEW HEBRIDES, ONE FROM NEW GUINEA AND ONE KIRIBATI SHARK TOOTH SWORD.
#7. & #8. NEW HEBRIDES CLUB 23 INCHES LONG 19 TH. CENTURY
#9. NEW HEBRIDES CLUB 36 INCHES 19TH CENTURY
#10. & #11. NEW HEBRIDES CLUB MALEKUA ISLAND 43 INCHES LONG
#12. VANUATU CLUB, NEW HEBRIDES 19TH CENTURY 31.5 INCHES LONG

[VANDOO]

#1., #2. & #3. MINE ,NEW HEBRIDES. 27.5 INCHES LONG
#4. NEW HEBRIDES 121 CM. LONG, AMBRYN ISLANDS
#5. & #6. REFERRED TO AS FOOTSTAMP, 2 DIFFERENT DESIGNS AT BUTT OF CLUBS, CIRCA 1860, OTHER INFORMATION TELUGHMOTI ? AND ERROMANGA ISLAND.
#7. NEW HEBRIDES AKA VANUATU CLUB
#8. NEW HEBRIDES " " "
#9. & #10. TWO PICTURES SHOWING A VARIETY OF CLUBS FROM NEW HEBRIDES.
#11. NEW HEBRIDES, ERROMANGA ISLAND, 109 CM. LONG
#12. NEW HEBRIDES AKA VANUATU CLUB, AMBRYN ISLAND

[VANDOO]

#1., #2. THESE TWO CLUBS APPEAR IN SOME OF THE POSTS ABOVE AND ARE NOT FROM NEW HEBRIDES, #1. IS A OLD MASSIM CLUB FROM NEW GUINEA MADE OF BLACK PALM WOOD WITH CARVING. #2. IS FROM THE SOLOMON ISLANDS AROUND WW1 ERA SAYS REMEMBER ME ON ONE SIDE GOOD HEAVY WOOD AND BALANCE.
#3.WARRIOR WITH CLUB NEW HEBRIDES, VAO ISLAND
#4. NEW HEBRIDES, PENTECOST ISLAND
#5. NEW HEBRIDES, AMBRYN ISLAND
#6.NEW HEBRIDES STONE HEADED CLUB, 107 CM. LONG
#7.NEW HEBRIDES CLUB
#8. NEW HEBRIDES WORKERS BY FIELD
#9. NEW HEBRIDES
#10. NEW HEBRIDES , EFATE CLUB
#11. NEW HEBRIDES 19TH CENTURY, TANNA ISLAND CLUB AND AX
#12. NEW HEBRIDES CLUB

[VANDOO]

#1. 1890 PRINT NEW HEBRIDES
#2. & #3. NEW HEBRIDES CLUB 104 CM. LONG
#4.POOR PICTURE OF 3 CLUB TYPES FROM CATALOG VANUATU
#5. CLUB FROM ERROMANGO IS. NEW HEBRIDES
#6. CLUB FROM MALAKULA ISLAND VANUATU 98 CM. LONG
#7. & #8. NEW HEBRIDES CLUB 37 INCHES LONG FOOT STAMP DESIGN ON BUTT
#9. & #10. NEW HEBRIDES PADDLE FORM CLUB 107 CM. LONG
#11. & #12. NEW HEBRIDES WAR CLUB

[VANDOO]

#1. NEW HEBRIDES WARRIOR WITH CLUB RAISED 1922
#2. NEW HEBRIDES CLUB AMBRYN ISLAND 41 INCHES LONG
#3. CEREMONIAL SPEAR N. W. MALEKULA ISLAND VANUATU
#4. NEW HEBRIDES CLUB HEAD DETAIL, 44 INCHES LONG
#5. & #6. NEW HEBRIDES CLUB 104 CM. LONG
#7. NEW HEBRIDES CLUB
#8. NEW HEBRIDES WAR CLUB
#9. , #10. & #11. NEW HEBRIDES WAR CLUB
#12. SAME CLUB AS #7 ABOVE