Kotiate

The Kotiate (pronounced cor-tee-ah-teh) was a Māori short club, one of many different weapons used by Maori to defend themselves or to fight battles.

Notice the notched sides, the notches being used to wrest an opponent’s weapon out of his hand.

This Kotiate features a Tiki carving on both sides of the club, with Paua shell used for the eyes. The end of the handle is decorated with a carved Manaia head – the Manaia is a mythical half-bird, half-human deity, considered to be a messenger between the earthly world and the spirit world.