Fijian Gugu Clubs
Gugu Clubs: Ceremonial Dance clubs
The Gugu clubs, also known as takaiwai or siriti, are poorly documented and shrouded in mystery. Despite their presence in significant numbers in both museum and private collections, little is known about these intriguing Fijian clubs.
Traditionally, Gugu clubs are believed to originate from the interior of Viti Levu Island in Fiji, particularly from the Nadroga-Navosa region. These clubs were primarily used for dance and ceremony rather than in warfare. In certain areas, some older Fijians even referred to them as kiakavo.
Fijian scholar Fergus Clunie suspects that the distribution of Gugu clubs may have been broader than commonly understood, although he lacks concrete evidence to support this theory.
Two Distinct Forms of Gugu Clubs
There are two main types of Gugu clubs, each with unique characteristics:
- The Light Type: This variant features a plain, oval-sectioned handle. The club’s head resembles the shape of a butterfly fish, with the fish’s face appearing to “bite” the shaft of the club and is smaller.
- The Heavier, Elaborately Decorated Type: This version has a round-sectioned handle and often incorporates Tongan motifs in its carvings. These clubs were likely crafted by Tongan carvers who lived in settlements in the Sigatoka Valley and along the Nadroga coast.
Despite their appearance, Gugu clubs are often misleadingly referred to as “lotus clubs” or “axe-bit clubs”. However, their actual motif is not based on lotus flowers or axes, but rather on the butterfly fish. The diagonal extensions on the club represent the fish’s fins, and the raised eyes are carved at the point where the top section narrows and joins the shaft.
The Connection to the Butterfly Fish
The name “Gugu” (sometimes misspelled as “Ququ”) is thought to derive from the Gugu butterfly fish(Chaetodontidae). This is supported by the alternative name, siriti, which also refers to a small fish. Dr. Tippet cautiously suggests that the Gugu clubs may have been modified pig trotters used in the naga rites of inland Viti Levu, though this remains speculative.
Historical records from the Fiji Museum indicate that Gugu clubs were named and decorated after the broad, flat-bodied Gugu butterfly fish, reinforcing their connection to this aquatic creature. Interestingly, the term “Tivitivi” was also applied to European-introduced hatchets because of their similar shape and the way they were set upright on their handles, unlike the positioning of an adze.
Value and Range of Gugu Clubs
The value of these clubs varies enormously from $3000 -over $50,000. Collectors favour the larger hardwood Tongan carved style over the lighter clubs. They range in size from around 80 cm to 120 cm with larger clubs in general being more valuable because they are better carved. Although well represented in museum collections they are still a rare club in individual collections.
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