Here's an unusual Paua Shell fact I found out tonight at a local Maori Fashion Parade.

Paua shell, or kota as it was called at the time, were used in battle by Maori wahine (females) from the Te Tai Tokerau region.  The edge of the shell would be ground to a sharp point, and the shell used to slice at their opponents, cutting the skin.  They would also serrate the edge, so pieces would break off when used in battle, infecting the blood of the opponent when it broke the skin.

Here's an unusual Paua Shell fact I found out tonight at a local Maori Fashion Parade.

Paua shell, or kota as it was called at the time, were used in battle by Maori wahine (females) from the Te Tai Tokerau region.  The edge of the shell would be ground to a sharp point, and the shell used to slice at their opponents, cutting the skin.  They would also serrate the edge, so pieces would break off when used in battle, infecting the blood of the opponent when it broke the skin.