Period Photos of People with Ethnographic Arms

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Bob A

The sword shouldered by the central figure appears to be of particularly rare form of belato, associated with Nias island.

Hello Bob,

I don't think so, it's a mandau with the edge pointed to his throat. See also the handle in his hand. Also the blowpipe, shields and costumes are Dayak.

Regards,
Detlef

[Rick]

The item link in the posts above shows other items at the bottom of that page for sale which is not allowed.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Rick

The item link in the posts above shows other items at the bottom of that page for sale which is not allowed.

I don't know what happened, I just copied the picture, sorry!

Ah, now I understand, it was the link provided by Bob.

[gp]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Bob,

I don't think so, it's a mandau with the edge pointed to his throat. See also the handle in his hand. Also the blowpipe, shields and costumes are Dayak.

Regards,
Detlef

FYI: I got this picture from an old Dutch book about the Dutch Indies on the Alifuru in the Moluccan islands...

so I think our friend Detlev might be correct, as the literature of those days might contain some errors but nevertheless it concerned the Dutch colonial region .

Some more pics on the Mena Muria'warriors from the Moluccans .
The last pic are Honitetu-Alifuru dancing the tjakalele Piru, Ceram 1912

[Bob A]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Bob,

I don't think so, it's a mandau with the edge pointed to his throat. See also the handle in his hand. Also the blowpipe, shields and costumes are Dayak.

Regards,
Detlef

Thank you; I had noted the handle, but was overexcited by the blade shape.
You're of course correct about the accoutrements.

I should shave with Occam's razor.