Gubugab (war club)
Date2013
Object number00055706
NameClub
MediumThul wood, bees' wax, cassowary feathers, bush rope, mangrove sap.
DimensionsOverall (including feathers): 660 × 500 × 500 mm, 459 g
ClassificationsCeremonial artefact
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by Michael and Diane Kershaw
DescriptionA replica Gubugab/Gabagaba (war club) by Job Kusu made out of thul wood with a disc shaped head. The club has cassowary feathers attached below the disc head with bee’s wax and the handle is engraved with linear patterns and dots.
The Gubugab was a weapon used in hand combat and was generally used after the warrior's arrows and spears had been exhausted.
HistoryThe Gubugab was the weapon used by Torres Strait Islander warriors in hand to hand fighting and became the first weapon to be recorded by Europeans in the region as early as 1606. They were noted for being 'lethal weapons' to which no helmet would be able to withstand a blow.
The shape of the stone head could vary and reflected different purposes and origins of the club. Uses of Gubugab included battle, ceremonaial occasions and as part of the intricate social and trade network between the Torres Strait and Papua New Guinea. Different markings and in construction a Gubugab would also identify the owner.
On this Gubugab by Job Kasu, the feathers are a tradtional feature. When engaging an opponent the warrior would shake his Gubugab causing movement of the feathers thereby distracting or mesmerising his foe. The cross over markings on the handle represent the zig zag movement warriors would adopt when approaching the enemy which they employed to further confuse them. The dots on the handle represent a head count of the warrior’s slain opponents.
The Gubugab was carved from Thul wood which comes from a tree sacred to the Baizam clan of Badu Island. A ceremony is performed for the harvesting of wood from this tree. The markings on the handle have been incised and stained with mangrove sap.
SignificanceThis Gubugab is representative of the traditional weapons used by Torres Strait warriors who were often engaged in battle with people from neighbouring islands, Papua New Guinea and mainland Australia.
