Pagaie "hoe"
Description
wood,
Carved from a single piece of medium wood the tiny chip carved designs cover the entire surface on both sides of the paddle and the finial is carved with seven fine “tiki” heads in a circle.
Exhaustive survey of the historical sources, has confirmed that there are no known eye-witness account of their use or function. No local name is recorded for them, anywhere, before 1890, though they are sometimes called “hoe” after the Tahitian word for paddle.
These objects were completely unsuitable for use in the conventional sense. Consequently it has been assumed that they were emblems of rank or status, for ceremonial rather than functional use.
Most Austral Island paddles are dated roughly between 1820 to 1840, mostly made probably on the Island of Raivavae, and are generally described as made for trade items. Their original use in pre European contact era is still a mystery today.