Club

Museum number: UEM161

Material: Wood

Region and culture: New Zealand, possible Fiji

Description: In the catalogue this object is said to derive from New Zealand. However, this is club has been identified as a Fijian Sali. Comparison with objects almost identical to this one confirms this identification.  

A Fijian Sali is known to be the Fijian warriors favourite weapon. The objects name, Sali, is taken from a flower that grows on the native Fijian plant Musa.  The object measures around 100 cm and is dated to the 19th century. There is not any documentation as to how Fredrik Ring got hold of the Sali, however one theory is that his ship crew may have traded for it, just like they did with the paddle (UEM160). The Sali was donated by Consul Ring together with the rest of the objects in the Collection during the mid-19th century.