Dayak Shaman Staff?
 

Just got this in off ebay. Was listed as African, Zulu. I had one of these years ago, and didn't know what it was. While thumbing through a book of art, I found a similar staff, titled as a Borneo shaman staff. Listed it as such on ebay, and got big money for it. Years later, I got into collecting headhunter artifacts, and regretted the sale. Found somewhat similar on the internet, but that venue has been know to be how you say, wrong. This one is 69" tall. The hair is human, but is a modern hair piece stapled in place. The one I had before, had a wrap of woven textile, and a tuft of coarse vegetable fiber. I borrowed these images from the auction. Whatizzit?

THESE AND OTHER VARIATIONS ARE SOLD IN BORNEO BUT ARE A TRADITIONAL BATAK PEOPLE DESIGN RATHER THAN DAYAK. SOLD TO THOSE WHO TRAVEL AS A SHAMANS STAFF THIS IS A CONTEMPORARY ITEM. THE GOOD OLD ONES WITH PROVENANCE DO BRING THE BIG $$$$ BUT ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN ARE MADE OF HARDWOOD AND DON'T COME APART FOR TRAVEL. A NICE DECORATOR ITEM WITH THE PROPER TRADITIONAL BATAK CARVING STYLE. NOT A BAD ITEM IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT.

Well, I paid $15.00 for the last one, 25 years ago. Got around $500.00 on fleabay. Paid a tad over a hundred for this one. Considering inflation, not too bad.

Hey folks, i'm moving this to the Misc. Forum.