Fijian Dui Clubs
Dui Clubs: Tongan influence
Fijian Dui clubsare easily confused with Samoan Fa’ alautalinga clubs and tongan clubs of a similar shape.
Literature on these clubs is extremely scarce. The head shape is often believed to represent a fan due to it’s shape.
These clubs were likely introduced by Tongan settlers of Fiji.
Value and Range of Dui Clubs
The value of these clubs varies enormously from $3000 -over $10,000. Collectors favour the extremely broad varieties with the overall form being more important than the surface carving. The best clubs tend to have a squarish handle terminal and either have no decoration or are decorated whith whale tooth inlay.
Clubs vary in length between 80cm – 100cm.
It is likely that dui clubs with intense surface designs are infact either Tongan or made by Tongans living in Fiji.
A pierced lug at the base of a fan shaped club indicates it is likely not a Fijian Dui but either samoan or Tongan in origin.
The image to the right is clubs sold as Fijian Dui.
The clubs with the pointed sides and no carving are definatively Fijian. Those clubs decorated with hounds teeth designs and more rounded “fans” are possibly Samoan.
Recommended reading
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