Mana Series - Shot in Papaioea, New Zealand.

“The Kotiate is one of many variant forms of the short handled striking weapon used in close combat. Kotiate literally means 'to divide, split in two'. Some experts suggest that the kotiate has taken its shape from the lobed part of the human liver or the lungs that were gifted by the god Tawhirimatea to mankind. The carved notches on either side were used in a ripping action. On a few occasions, the kotiate was used to castrate the male genitals as punishment therefore being incapable of producing offspring.” Nā Josh Strickland