PADDLES TOOL, WEAPON AND CEREMONIE

[fearn]

Well, there's always the old okinawan Eku, which is the oar they use in kobudo. I'm still not sure whether a paddle that's optimized as a weapon is sufficiently good for paddling. Weight would be one thing, because a heavy paddles more miserable to use than a light one, but it makes a better weapon.

I also recall that someone (perhaps in India?) had a standing paddle that was sharpened on the other end, although I think it was used mostly for fishing.

Perhaps someone's better informed on this than I am.

Best,

F

[Battara]

I love these paddles, especially the older Polynesian ones. I also like Tlingit ones as well.

[David]

The carvings on them are awesome!

[VANDOO]

HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF SURINAME PADDLES AS MENTIONED ABOVE. THE SIZE IS USUALLY AROUND 46.5 X 6.5 IN. FOR THE ONES PRESENTED TO GIRL FRIENDS. THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THESE ARE OF AFRICAN DESENT.
UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE NO PICTURES OF NORTHWEST COAST TRIBAL PADDLES. BUT A SEARCH FOR TINGLET PADDLES WILL BRING UP INFORMATION AND SEVERAL ARTISTS ONE NAMED ODIN HAD SOME NICE EXAMPLES. FOR A WIDER RANGE SEARCH PADDLES STEINBRUECK NATIVE GALLERY.
A INTERESTING FILM MADE IN 1914 BY EDWARD S. CURTIS ORIGINALLY TITELED "IN THE LAND OF THE HEADHUNTERS" RETITLED "IN THE LAND OF THE WAR CANOES" DEPICTS THE CULTURE OF THE KWAKIUTL TRIBE OF VANCOUVER ISLAND. THE STORY IS SPOKEN IN THE NATIVE LANGUAGE BUT THERE ARE SUBTITLES. IT CAN BE FOUND IN SOME LIBRARYS. IT SHOWS PLENTY OF CANOES AND PADDLES.
I HAVE A CANOE AND A KAYAK BUT HAVE NEVER USED A POINTED PADDLE SO HAVE NO IDEA IF THEY FUNCTION AS WELL FOR PADDLING AS MINE. BUT FOR GIVING SOMEONE A GOOD POKE WITH A SHARP STICK I CAN SEE DEFINITE ADVANTAGES. POKEING WOULD BE THE BEST FORM OF ATTACK ESPECIALLY WHILE SITTING AND TRYING TO PADDLE OR PUSH AWAY A ENEMY CANOE.