Maori Culture » taiaha

The Taiaha (pronounced Tie-uh-ha) is a Maori weapon used in close hand-to-hand combat.  Usually made from a hardwood, the taiaha was used to strike and to stab, but mostly to strike with the rau, the blade. Parts of the taiaha are: Upoko: the head of the taiaha, including a carved head with paua shell eyes, and an arero, a tongue. Below the upoko are...