Taiaha
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A Taiaha (pronounced Tie-uh-ha) is a weapon carried by the Maori warriors of New Zealand.
The taiaha is a staff with a wooden tongue-shaped blade at the end. Sticking out ones tongue is a traditional sign of Maori defiance used before one's enemies. A taiaha is a work of art as well as a weapon. The blade could be more effective if pointed like a spear but the broad head allows room for ornate carvings. Just beneath the head is a cluster of feathers meant to create a visual distraction for one's opponent. A full sized taiaha may measure 5 feet in length.
After nearly 120 years of a British-based insignia, the New Zealand Army now incorporates the image of a taiaha into its official crest.
External link
- The taiaha -- indigenous knowledge bringing benefits to modern life (http://www.tu.co.nz/taiaha.htm)