South Sea Islander cane knife

South Sea Islander cane knife

This cane knife comes from a Sugar plantation at Erakala near Mackay. The deliberate bend in the blade suggests that it belonged to a Pacific Island labourer. Islanders adapted their knives in this way to get a better grip on the cane as they cut it. Cane knives are valued by Australian South Sea Islanders as evidence of their contribution to the Queensland sugar industry.

Item ID: 
E16946
Dimensions
Height: 
651mm
Width: 
157mm

Description: Cane cutting knife, featuring long wooden handle with steel blade that has been heat bent for use. Blade is bent at an approximate 30 degree angle for use by a right-handed person.

Publication Place: 
Mackay
Publisher: 
Queensland Museum
Rights: 

Copyright © Queensland Museum, 2010

Theme:
Queenslanders, Quintessential Queensland
Related items: 
Queenslanders
Keywords:
agriculture, Australian South Sea Islanders, cane, indentured labour, labour, Pacific Islanders, Pacific Labourers, slavery, sugar
Location: 
Erakala Mackay, QLD
Australia
21° 8' 28.356" S, 149° 11' 8.25" E
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Date captured: 
23 November 2010