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Originally Posted by apolaki
HI,
Does anyone have interests in Pre-colombian weaponary, I found an Incan Tumi, but i know its very likely a modern replica, because as someone stated I have a fondness of finding items from that era.. LOL
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Well now Apolaki....thats esoteric!!! and I wish you all the best in finding weapons of this period
and as you have noted, a tumi would truly most likely be a modern replica.
Since you've brought these up though, the original 'tumi' or sacrificial knives for the sacrifice of llama were from the Inca culture which originated about 1200 AD in Peru near Cuzco, and probably thier predecessors. These very ornamental knives with semicircular blade were also used for the enigmatic skull trepanations. While the Inca culture ended with the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, the cultures and traditions are still held by ethnic groups such as Quechuas and Aymara.
I'm not sure if these cultures still use the tumi in modern times, but probably still do produce them in a commercial sense, and it is said to hang one on the wall is good luck.
In looking at these semi circular knives, they reminded me of the knives of similar shape blade used as utility knives by various eskimo groups, and termed the 'ulu'. These have ancestry dating back to at least 2500BC and used blades of slate with bone handles. In the study of anthropology the migrations of early man from Asia to the Americas is continuously being reconsidered and the movements of tribal people in South American regions seem being found earlier than earlier believed. It is interesting to note the similarity of these blades, and somewhat compelling to consider the possibility of such ancient ancestry from the early migrations.
Best regards,
Jim