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Gata (weapon)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

Head of Gata waka

Uses in Fiji

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Usually cut from hardwood, it has a snake[1] 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.[2] Its shape is very similar to the kiakavo used for dancing.[3]

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Bibliography

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  • 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

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  1. ^ Francesco Pellizzi, Anthropology and Aesthetics, 57/58: Spring/Autumn 2010 [1]
  2. ^ Hélène Goiran, Les rôles politiques des militaires fidjiens
  3. ^ Susan Cochrane, Max Quanchi, Hunting the Collectors: Pacific Collections in Australian Museums, p.46

See also

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