Pakipaki

Paddle-shaped Tongan pakipaki (club) with a plain handle and two ridges carved behind the head. The side of the flat head has been broken at some point in its history.

This club is made of toa wood (casuarina equisetifolia or she-oak), and beautifully worked. It's paddle shape relates to the voyaging heritage of Tonga, in which canoe paddles would have doubled as weapons and oars. Paddles are also used in Tongan dance, a sign of male skill and prowess.

Such plain designs are typical of those collected on Cook's 2nd voyage voyage, as it would have been carved with stone tools. Trade in iron tools with the Tongan's during the voyage encouraged development of more elaborate carvings which are evident on clubs collected on the third voyage.

Object Details

ID: AAA2838
Collection: World Cultures
Type: Pakipaki
Display location: Display - Pacific Encounters Gallery
Events: Exploration: Cook's Second Voyage, 1772
Date made: Before 1773
People: Malcolm, Neil; Cook, James
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 1384 mm x 140 mm