Yankuna Club

[Tim Simmons]

Another sortie into the the world of ebay and collecting. I am now waiting for this lovely and complete Yakuna club from Venezuela and borders. Up until the 1960s the Yakuna were relatively isolated. What I like most, even if not the oldest club from the areas where variations of this form originate, the north east coastal and forest regions of the South American continent the Guianas. It is complete and a substantial example. Made of a heavy timber Ipe, 62.5cm long the head being 18.5cm and a thickness of 3.2cm. Many of the darker wood clubs have a hole in the top for the feathers and just because a timber or artefact is dark in colour and polished does not necessarily mean it is 19th century and antique, without the feathers is not complete like a sword with out the scabbard. Now there may be some discussion as to whether the example I am waiting for is a weapon or a status or ritual club. I can make comparisons with online museum, data bases, on the dimensions. I would not suggest that feather decoration means ritual. Feather additions can be removed if and when the need arises.