Ceremonial Use: Clubs were carried during war dances and rituals as symbols of a warrior’s status and authority. They were often carved with sacred images, like the Thunder Being, to invoke spiritual power and protection. Leaving a club at a conflict site also served as a symbolic declaration of war.

Other Uses: The most significant non-combative use was its connection to the game of lacrosse, known as baaga’adowewin or the “Little Brother of War.” This sacred game was often used to settle serious disputes between tribes as a non-lethal substitute for battle. The war club is considered the direct ancestor of the traditional lacrosse stick.

War clubs were generally not used for hunting; the Ojibwe used bows, arrows, and spears for that purpose.

^{***Many other tribes used war clubs in many ways.***}

FREE USE GRAPHIC