Any Amazon collectors?

[Tim Simmons]

These pictures are from the; Memorial of Indigenous Peoples - Brasilia DF 2016

[Tim Simmons]

I have been lucky to acquire another Wayana club. Which prompted more searching for information on the form. Finally I used the right wording and found all I need in a dissertation from Florida University for a doctorate.

The club is known as a Kapalu carried by chief/shaman important enough to be carried on the shoulder of a minion to event of use. It is a war club but ceremonial representing awesome power not unlike nuclear weapons in our minds. The spike end is used to support the club upright in the grouned by the hammock of the chief. The real use of these and war clubs has more or less ended at the close of the 20th century. The link has so much information. The most relevant pages are 372-374 for greater learning.

The new acquisition is the dark painted example. From the shipping cost I think it is made from a soft light wood which is usual, the other example is a heavy hard wood. Lesser quality versions are made as trade items.

http://etd.fcla.edu/UF/UFE0041100/duin_r.pdf

This example is from French Guiana. This Christian mission site like has some interesting stats:

http://www.peoplegroups.org/explore/...=16344#topmenu

Yet more Stats

https://intercontinentalcry.org/indi...eoples/wayana/

Missionary with Wayana 1955

[Tim Simmons]

Here now and is made of a lighter weight of wood. I must research the patterns as they do have a meaning.

[Tim Simmons]

I am changing my mind on the exact function of this new addition to my Amazon collection. I have found more useful information in;

The British Museum Publication, "Unknown Amazon" 2001. Chapter 11, One Blow Scatters the Brains, Warwick Bray. Retired Professor of Latin American Archaeology at the institute of Archaeology, University College London. He has conducted field work in Colombia {including Colombia Amazonas} and Ecuador, and a specialist in the study of Pre- Columbian metalwork. HE authored "The Gold of El Dorado 1977" and co-edited "The Archaeology of Mesoamerica: Mexican and European Perspectives"

I have uploaded the relevant pages and hope I am not breaking any forum rules {if so please inform me so I can rearrange the text} Note where the page turns. The fact is that the distinction between ceremonial and war club can be blurred. Reading this fact made me look again at the new club. Perhaps it is not as light and soft wood as I first assumed. Her it is shown with a PNG Kukukuku club. The PNG club weighs 950 g and clearly a weapon. The Wayana club weighs 1.140 kg. This club is also comfortable in the hand. The old unpainted Wayana club is an unwieldy 2.005 kg and the handle is just that much smaller and carved in a shape that is not comfortable to grip for serious use. So I have changed my opinion on the latest Wayana club, it is of fighting weight being able to deliver as much brain scattering blows as many nut brown heavily patina collector must have clubs. I could show many with it. Happy happy

[VANDOO]

GOOD INFORMATION TIM. AN INTERESTING ITEM CLOSED ON EBAY A SIMILAR STYLE OF CLUB SAID TO BE FROM THE SEMINOLE TRIBE IN FLORIDA. IT IS SAID TO BE SET WITH REAL SHARK TEETH AND WOUND WITH VEGETABLE FIBERS LATE 19TH TO EARLY 20TH CENTURY. 38.7 CM. OR 15.25 INCH. THE SEMINOLE ( NOT THEIR ORIGINAL NAME) LIVED IN FLORIDA THE ATAKAPAWS IN LOUISIANA AND THE KARANKAWAS ON GALVESTON ISLAND TEXAS. NO DOUBT OTHER TRIBES LIVED ALONG THE COAST AS WELL. THE CULTURES AND CUSTOMS WERE MUCH THE SAME ALL ALONG THE GULF COAST AND ALL WERE VERY SIMILAR TO THE CARIBS. SO NO DOUBT THE CLUB FORMS HAD SIMILARITY'S AS WELL AS THE RECIPES ON HOW TO SERVE MAN MANY WERE SAID TO BE CANNIBALS.

[Gavin Nugent]

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=amazon+dart

One of my artefacts on display here.

Gavin

[Tim Simmons]

Having had more time to study this new piece I am even more convinced that it is a fighting piece, as much as may be used in ceremonials. There are points to consider for this thinking.

It is stated by researchers that the line between actual violent function and ceremony is not absolute.

From the early to mid 20th century and indeed later. A Wayana village would consist of a few extended families with just enough outsiders brought in by what ever means to keep the gene pool healthy {probably not that different today}

A community without a strong social hierarchy and the need for artists to make lavish emblems of rank and distinction. A group of people with no standing army, though all males would constitute a warrior group when needed. Would not fight in a massed battle or hierarchicaly organised conflict. War would be feud and vendetta raids or ambush on individuals or small groups and possibly though I would think rare village on village. The technology and arsenal is sticks, stones, bones and what ever can be made into a weapon.

Looking at the two examples, starting with the really far too heavy tan coloured piece. The picture shows the only original peccary/boar tooth {the others were very similar but spit into too many pieces to restore} which is as taken from the porcine jaw natural and curved. This will not work as an impact weapon

Look at the teeth on the black painted club all have been ground, as no file marks can be found , to a shorter straight point which would function as an impact weapon. Sorry my pictures are not expert. This weapon could inflict nasty wounds, punctures, slashes and more. How would you like a pig tusk stuck in your head? it would be scary? hard to fight back, then just hit even harder with the wood. When all this is thought about I think it is a very uncommon find. You know where you can stick your ubiquitous, over priced Fijian Ulas, clubs and more.