Parque Nacional del Este, Dominican Republic
Artifact Inventory

PNE-01-A-0202

Macana War Club

This large battle club in the Tainan tongue is called "macana". According to Las Casas, they are usually made of palm wood. The "macanas" described by Las Casas on the south coast of Cuba were similar or identical to the ones used by the Tainos and Ciguayans. These large clubs, being swung with both hands, had flat, sword shaped handles with an oval, club like head.





Close-ups of the neck and bulbous end of club. Note markings indicating work done with a chisel-like object and the parallel lines indicative of palm wood.





California State Archaeologist, John Foster, underwater and on land holding his exciting new find.





1558 Woodcut from Thevet's Singularitez showing indigenous peoples using the macanas in battle.


Last updated: 20 January 1998
URL: http://www.indiana.edu/~r424park/dr/describe/macana.html
Comments: Underwater Science Program
Copyright 1998, The Trustees of Indiana University