Gata (weapon)

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

Head of Gata waka

Uses in Fiji

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]

Gallery

• 
  Gata
• 
  Fijian warriors, the one on the right with a gata
• 
  A gata waka club or a kiakavo for dancing

See also

• Bulibuli
• Culacula
• Sali
• Totokia
• Ula

Bibliography

• 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

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