Rakau atua "Tumatauenga"

Rakau atua (god sticks) were ceremonial in function and acted as vessels/homes for deities or were divination rods for atua (gods). This rakau atua was originally probably at least a metre longer and is associated with Tumatauenga (the god of war), who was one of the sons of Ranginui (sky father) and Papatuanuku (earth mother). Visual references to Tumatauenga are suggested in the carving, and can be seen in the large eye (that sees all) and the row of fierce teeth (that can devour the world).  In English, Tumatauenga is known as 'the angry-eyed god'. This rakau atua also features a double-featured head, known as a mua.

Usage
There is a great deal of mystery around the specific protocols and practices of how rakau atua were used. What is known is that Maori believed that atua (gods) would inhabit a rakau atua when invoked and leave once a ceremony was completed.

Rakau atua are extremely rare objects in museum collections. They represent a tangible connection to the Maori spiritual world and deities pre-European contact.