Papua bone daggers

[chregu]

Good evening together
can assign someone to bone daggers tribes? determine age and usage?

many thanks Chregu

[M ELEY]

I used to own one just like #1. There was a tribal arts site that I sent pics to who assigned it to the Dani tribe, Sepik River region. They like to use the sennet wrapping, cowry shells, feathers, etc. Mine was circa 1900-20's, early contact period. Most are made from the thigh bone of a cassowary bird (as was mine), the smaller carved types made from a "tree kangaroo"?? and of course, some of the older ones are made from an ancestor's tibia bone (these are now illegal to export out of Irian Jaya). I have heard the females in the tribe would use them to impale cheating husbands, but sources for this info remain sketchy- :eek: :shrug:

[Sajen]

Hello Chregu,

I think that the first one is a Asmat dagger, look my example. The two last ones could be from Wosera, but I am not sure.

Regards,

Detlef

[chregu]

hello together
Thank you for your help.
So the first could be or Dani Asmat.
the second two: East Sepik Abelam
the fourth, with a bird motif Abelam South Wosera
the last one?
anyone have a different opinion?
greeting

[M ELEY]

The Asmat and Dani tribes indeed were living literally back to back in that region, so it makes sense that it (#1) could be either. That being said, the gent that I got the info from long ago has some interesting information on his site that supports that #1 is Asmat. Check it out-

www.art-pacific.com/artifacts/nuguinea/weapons/bneknife.htm

[chregu]

Hi M ELEY
I know this site was because of my information.
Thanks anyway.
regards Chregu