"The double-headed ua is variously described as a ceremonial staff occasionally employed as a fighting weapon, or as a long double-handled club normally carried as a badge of rank. Either interpretation is probably correct. A number of authentic pieces have been preserved and many more have been carved in post-missionary times primarily, however, from imported wood.

Whereas the slightly oval neck section of the staff is almost circular, its shorter diameter decreases and its longer increases towards the lower end, giving the staff a spatular shape. Sometimes, however, according to the suitability of the wood, the staff has a uniform cross section all the way down and the representation is bilaterally symmetrical. Eyes are inlaid as on the wooden images with bone rings enclosing obsidian disks. Strongly projecting pouches hang down below the eyes on each side of a long, straight and slim nose with naturalistic alae. The flat, elliptical mouth is carved with raised lips surrounding a horizontal groove. Teeth are not indicated. Long, narrow ears with earplugs are carved as bands along the edges. The forehead slants forward to project beyond the eyes. Eyebrows are lacking, but the wide and tall forehead is traversed horizontally by a dense series of grooves arching from one side to the other. There is no chin or beard, as the narrow lower face continues uninterruptedly into the staff. Specimens vary considerably in length, recent pieces sometimes approaching 6 ft. (nearly 2 m.), whereas ancient specimens are rarely more than some 40 ins. (ca. 1,20 m.) and sometimes slightly curved due to the imperfections of the toromiro available. Knots or other holes in the wood are often filled with perfectly fitted plugs. Ua were in some instances preserved in sheaths made from totora reed."

(Heyerdahl 3)