Small oar

I found this small (and light-weight) oar in Oregon in a case with NA items, but maybe it's Pacific Islands?

It was broken in the past and sloppily glued, but the price was right. It's 27" long as you can see.

Any ideas as to where it comes from? Thank you!

 

I'm good with pacific islands....
Solomons , maybe....
more of a food preparing item or club , than oar !

 

It bears some resemblance to a 'taiaha', a New Zealand Maori fighting/ceremonial staff, although the carving looks a bit Sepik, PNG.

 

Thank you both @komokwa and @Any Jewelry for these leads-- I'll continue to search.

I will also say that the piece is so light-- as in, not dense--that it wouldn't take much force to break it. So maybe that rules out some possible uses, and maybe makes it more likely a tourist piece.

 

I agree the design looks like Papua New Guinea. It may be a stirrer/spatula/paddle used in processing sago palm for food.

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-...g-sepik-river-wood-sago-stirr-88-c-a06482e894

https://www.etsy.com/listing/610751...bTWBxfjJBWm7DCdjHtnl60XRGF28K6QRoCFWIQAvD_BwE

 

That looks totally likely. Thank you @2manybooks!

I so appreciate everyone's help. The collective wisdom here is amazing!