GuianaBlock club from Guyana, Americas. Collector not known. Transferred to the Museum from the Ashmlolean Museum in 1886.

This short, blunt hand club is referred to as a 'block' club due to its rectangular section. The handle is bound with cotton and has a carrying loop and four pompom cords attached. Such 'dangling' parts are seen on clubs from all over the world and are not only for decoration but are also intended to distract the enemy by whirling around so that he cannot accurately judge the oncoming blow.

This weapon's distinctive shape is characteristic of the clubs of the Macusi (or Macushi), a native group of Guyana (formerly British Guiana) and Brazil. Block clubs are known by various names across the area of the southern Caribbean and northern South America (for example, 'tiki', 'macana' or 'apootoo') and they are often enhanced with the addition of a stone axe-blade. There is an example of such a Macusi axe-club in this Virtual Gallery, which is on display in the Museum.