Paddle Licker Enigma - Collecting Tiki

TW Trader Woody Member Tiki Manor, Forest of Bowland,UK Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 2301	TW Trader Woody Posted posted on Sat, Sep 28, 2002 2:17 AM Ok, this is pure speculation, but after a flick through 'Maori - Art & Culture' (D C Starzecka), it seems the "paddle sucker" is the result of some sort of ethnographic Chinese whispers. (Much like most Tiki stuff, really). Maori warriors were often pictured with their tongues fiercely protruding, and their fighting club (wahaika) in hand. I reckon as carvings were copied, the club got nearer to the mouth, and some thought that the warrior was actually licking the club. The final jump would be to the paddle sucker found on the mug above. It's logical, though possibly not actually true! Trader Woody

Ok, this is pure speculation, but after a flick through 'Maori - Art & Culture' (D C Starzecka), it seems the "paddle sucker" is the result of some sort of ethnographic Chinese whispers. (Much like most Tiki stuff, really). Maori warriors were often pictured with their tongues fiercely protruding, and their fighting club (wahaika) in hand. I reckon as carvings were copied, the club got nearer to the mouth, and some thought that the warrior was actually licking the club. The final jump would be to the paddle sucker found on the mug above.

It's logical, though possibly not actually true!

Trader Woody

Post #9427 by Trader Woody on Sat, Sep 28, 2002 2:17 AM