Lei O Mano History

Koa wood from the big island with tiger shark teeth or bull shark teeth depending on availability coconut rope and teeth wrapped with hemp rope.

Lei o mano history.

These are collectible reproductions of hawaiian artifacts and for display purposes only. Polynesian clubs were carved out of koa wood differing in style. Leiomano is a word in the hawaiian language and may have been derived from lei o manō which means a shark s lei the weapon resembles a thick ping pong paddle inset with shark teeth. Ali i refers to the hereditary line of rulers the noho ali i of the hawaiian islands.

Hawaiian war club with 8 shark teeth pahoa niho lei o mano. The catching or deflecting of thrown spears was a skill practiced by warriors. In some cases like the hawaiian lei o mano or the shark tooth club bone rock shell or shark teeth were used in place of metal for the purpose of tearing or piercing flesh. The lei of the warrior the leiomanō is held in the hand.

Chapter 18 of resource units in hawaiian culture warfare and weapons says te rangi hiroa described a leiomanō with 10 shark teeth and another with 23 teeth lashed around the edge. A fearsome and fitting weapon for an aliʻi sometimes. Some clubs were inlaid with shell or bone for decoration. Shark tooth daggers with flattened club like heads were edged with shark teeth.

His father who has been making hawaiian war clubs for approximately 20 years inspired him to learn more about my hawaiian culture. The tiger shark is the preferred donor. Aliʻi nui were supreme high chiefs of an island and no others were above them. Original cordage used to tie in the teeth gathered processed and made into rope the traditional way.

After doing tons of research the artisan found the making and history of hawaiian war clubs quite fascinating. Similar to hand kissing the person giving the greeting bows towards the hand of the elder and presses their forehead on the elder s hand usually performed with the right hand the person showing respect may ask mano po or pa. Offering many different styles from koa wood clubs to shark tooth clubs also know as lei o mano. Authentic polynesian art including alii clubs.

Mano or pagmamano is an honoring gesture used in filipino culture performed as a sign of respect to elders and as a way of requesting a blessing from the elder. Manny mattos a native hawaiian artist has been making hawaiian war clubs lei o mano for about 14 years. The warrior code was brutal. Hemp is a natural cordage with which we tied in each shark tooth.

The leiomano is a shark toothed club used by various polynesian cultures but mostly by the native hawaiians. A traditional warrior society hawaiian chieftains and their retainers practiced a type of martial arts lua and engaged in olympic style games during the annual makahiki festival that tested their abilities. Each item ordered is carefully hand made by the artist and may differ slightly from the photo shown. This was used by alii s chiefly status warriors.

Each club has a specific use and targets a specific part of the body.