In ancient days battles between Maori tribes were fought with spears, knives, and clubs. These Maori weapons were traditionally made of wood, greenstone (pounamu), and whale bone.
Many of these weapons were adorned with detailed carvings. The wooden handles of knives and short spears, but also parts of clubs and other weapons included intricate carvings.
Sometimes the purpose was to provide grip but mostly there was a spiritual and symbolic aspect.
Apart from utilitarian items Maori carved weapons are also symbols of courage, determination, power and influence. They were exchanged between …

Whakairo rakau is the Maori art of wood carving. Whakairo means carving and rakau stands for wood. Whakairo rakau was considered a tapu practice which was traditionally carried out by men. Tapu, in this context, means that the practice of carving had to meet a  certain set of rituals in order to meet supernatural standards and prevent bad luck from happening. (Roughly translated tapu means both ‘prohibited’ as well as ‘sacred’.)
This art form is reflected in the typical red painted wooden houses, canoes, statues (totem poles), and …