Taiaha

Common card · No. 443300

A taiaha (Māori pronunciation: [ˈtaiaha]) is a traditional weapon of the Māori of New Zealand. It is a close-quarters staff weapon made from either wood or whalebone, and used for short, sharp strikes or stabbing thrusts with efficient footwork on the part of the wielder. Taiaha are usually between 5 and 6 feet (1.5 and 1.8 m) in length. They have three main parts: the upoko (head), with the arero (tongue) protruding from it, used for stabbing the opponent and parrying; the ate (liver) or tinana (body), the long round part that is gripped; and the rau, the long flat blade that is the main striking part.

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