The Material Culture of the Cook Islands (Aitutaki)
Long Weapons
Long Weapons.
The names given for the long weapons were:—
(1.) Tara tahi. The tara tahi was a spear about 6 feet long, made in one piece. It was used for thrusting, and was also thrown.
(2.) Hiku tuna. The hiku tuna was about two spans in length. It was pointed, kohekohe. The other end was bulged out into a long oval, but with the edges sharpened. This latter end resembled somewhat an eel's tail, hence the name of the weapon, hiku tuna, an eel's tail. The wielder of the weapon stabbed to the front and struck to the back page 350if an opponent approached from that direction. The weapon was also thrown. See Fig. 295.
(5.) Tu-a-rupe. The tu-a-rupe seems to have been a form of weapon localised in the village of Tautu, or rather page 351in its predecessor, Taravao. It is said to have been something like the puapua inano, but shorter, and with a separate head that was joined to a handle or shaft.