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A council of chiefs
discusses tactics before leading their commoners into battle. In the
foreground, the man at right holds a weapon inset with shark teeth (lei o
mano). Around his waist is a belly protector of strong matting decorated
with feathers.
As Captain Cook's men learned from personal experience,
the feathered capes and helmet were "battle apparel." The cape might be worn
over the shoulders, but in battle it was pulled around the left side of the
body and held forward with the left hand to snag a thrust from a dagger or the
point of a thrown spear. In this position the right arm was exposed and free to
wield a weapon. Feathers were black, white, red, yellow, green and the long
rust-red and black feathers of the fighting cock. These were tied over a light
netting of cord in a great variety of designs. In battle, the brilliant capes
helped warriors identify and rally to their chiefs. Helmets made of strong.
light weight basketry protected the head from the impact of stones shot from
slings.
Pages 6, Ancient Hawaii
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