A kota knife

Tim Simmons · 7th January 2006, 07:51 PM

This thread seems a suitable place to show this dance sickle that I acquired in a swap from a well known Belgian policeman. No it was not Poirot. This is a pretty little thing and although not old I rather like it. Total length 22cm. Tim

fearn · 7th January 2006, 10:02 PM

Hi All,

Two comments:

First, somewhere along the line I'd gotten the idea that the kota was used as a ceremonial/dance accessory, rather than as a currency. This isn't worth much, as I can't remember the source at the moment.

Second, about knives as currency.... I'm not sure how they were used in Africa, but biologists and anthropologists working in Amazonia and in Papua New Guinea still use knives as currency. It's not a matter of "can you give me change for a machete?..." Rather, it's a matter of carrying a stock of machetes, axes, bush knives, tarps, flashlights, etc. as payment for whatever they're working on: animals, help trapping, help collecting plants, payment for letting them stay in a village, etc. I suspect that the African currency blades are used in similar ways, although the fact that many are not functional may mean that they're taking on more of the functions of a true currency.

My 0.02 cents,

F

Tim Simmons · 7th January 2006, 10:26 PM

Hi fearn, I think you are spot on. I have read that these axes were used for large transactions, The source did not elaborate as to whether this was material goods which I doubt, live stock or land rights or access to natural resources but it did stress large transactions, maybe people as in marriage and the like. Tim

Flavio · 10th January 2006, 10:19 PM

Beautiful axe Tim. Is the blade thin or heavy?

7th January 2006, 07:51 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,856	This thread seems a suitable place to show this dance sickle that I acquired in a swap from a well known Belgian policeman. No it was not Poirot. This is a pretty little thing and although not old I rather like it. Total length 22cm. Tim Attached Images

7th January 2006, 10:26 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,856	Hi fearn, I think you are spot on. I have read that these axes were used for large transactions, The source did not elaborate as to whether this was material goods which I doubt, live stock or land rights or access to natural resources but it did stress large transactions, maybe people as in marriage and the like. Tim Attached Images

7th January 2006, 10:02 PM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi All, Two comments: First, somewhere along the line I'd gotten the idea that the kota was used as a ceremonial/dance accessory, rather than as a currency. This isn't worth much, as I can't remember the source at the moment. Second, about knives as currency.... I'm not sure how they were used in Africa, but biologists and anthropologists working in Amazonia and in Papua New Guinea still use knives as currency. It's not a matter of "can you give me change for a machete?..." Rather, it's a matter of carrying a stock of machetes, axes, bush knives, tarps, flashlights, etc. as payment for whatever they're working on: animals, help trapping, help collecting plants, payment for letting them stay in a village, etc. I suspect that the African currency blades are used in similar ways, although the fact that many are not functional may mean that they're taking on more of the functions of a true currency. My 0.02 cents, F

10th January 2006, 10:19 PM	#4
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Beautiful axe Tim. Is the blade thin or heavy?