Rare Fijian War Club ‘Buli Buli’ with an expanded head regularly carved with raised studs

Period: 1700-1900

Origin: Fiji

Medium: Wood

Literature: Prestige and adulation was accorded to those accomplished in the martial arts, although these were only achieved by using a weapon effectively, and so the Fijian warrior would choose a club that suited his stature and natural movements. The two handed club was the traditional and favourite weapon. Different weapons were used for different types of blow and this club was a striker or crusher that was used with a downward smashing motion.
It is said that the terrible wounds inflicted by the war clubs can still be seen on smashed skulls in burial caves on Fiji and that some warriors survived the heavy blows to live on for years with dramatically misshapen heads.