What is the difference between a patu and a mere?

What is the difference between a patu and a mere?

While the term mere was, and is, used in some regions to refer exclusively to clubs made from pounamu, in other regions, mere was more broadly used to refer to patu of a similar shape and design made from hardwood (meremere, mere rakau), whalebone (patu paraoa), or stone (patu ōnewa) – in these areas, a mere made from …

What was the mere pounamu made of?

greenstone
The most prized examples, called mere pounamu, were made from greenstone (pounamu), a type of jade. Laboriously ground and polished, mere pounamu were created for the chiefly elite and passed down within families as heirlooms.

What does the mere Symbolise?

Mere pounamu (greenstone weapons) They were the main symbol of chieftainship and were as valuable to Māori as precious stones were to Europeans. Traditionally, mere were used for stabbing and cutting, rather than delivering axe-like blows.

What is a mere made of?

The mere (pronounced [ˈmɛrɛ]) is a type of short, broad-bladed club (patu), usually made from Nephrite jade (Pounamu or greenstone). A mere is one of the traditional, close combat, one-handed weapons of the indigenous Māori, of New Zealand.

What is Tapu in Māori culture?

Tapu is the strongest force in Māori life. Tapu can be interpreted as ‘sacred’, or defined as ‘spiritual restriction’, containing a strong imposition of rules and prohibitions. A person, object or place that is tapu may not be touched or, in some cases, not even approached.

How was the Kotiate used?

Overview. The kotiate was a prized weapon and also favoured by chiefs when speech-making. It is a curiously shaped weapon, and noted for the carved notches on either side of the blade. The notches were used in a ripping action.

What does a Toki mean?

strength
The Toki (Adze) is a symbol of strength, determination, and courage in times of adversity. The shape represents a tool often used by Maori for carving, shaping, and weaponry and was originally used for practical purposes.

What is an English mere?

A mere is a shallow lake, pond, or wetland, particularly in Great Britain and other parts of western Europe.

Did Māori use Tomahawks?

A Maori patiti (hatchet), the traditionally carved mid/late 20th century handle with stylised masks and lineal and notch detail, fixed to an old forged iron bladed head, length 36.5 cm.

What is a mere pounamu used for?

The creation and finishing of a mere pounamu is claimed to have sometimes taken more than one generation to complete. Mere, and other patu, were used for close-quarter fighting. Held in one hand, these close-range striking weapons were used primarily for end-on thrusting or jabbing (tipi).

What is the meaning of mere in Maori?

Mere (weapon) The mere (Māori pronunciation: [ˈmɛrɛ]) is a type of short, broad-bladed weapon in the shape of an enlarged tear drop. It was used to strike/jab an opponent in the body or the head (it is misleading to call it a club as described by early visitors to New Zealand) (patu), usually made from nephrite jade (pounamu or greenstone).

Where can I find pounamu?

While Pounamu is only found in a limited number of South Island sites, these locations are nothing short of spectacular.

What are pounamu made out of?

Dressing of the surface was done with fine sandstone and pieces of very hard smooth stone. Due to the toughness of greenstone, mere pounamu were able to be made thinner than other similar patu made from stone, however this made the process of manufacture slow and arduous.