Tanzanian swagger/fighting stick?

katana · 10th August 2006, 10:22 PM

Hi Tim, all the info I have is pretty generalised, did a bit of checking...but discovered little......

Polydactyls have six or more digits on their hands or feet. The extra digits vary from small pieces of soft tissue to apparently complete digits.
Historically and in the contemporary world, polydactylyism has been associated with witchcraft, psychic power, the extraterrestrial, divine connection, and sporting prowess. Also there numerous works of art from many era’s and cultures, that depict diety’s with 6 fingers
The Number 6 also has connections with belief and mythology.
For Christians, Jews and Moslems, the number 6 represents the day that man was created. Mathematicians revere the number 6 because it is the first perfect number.
Deities associated with the number 6 include Athena, the Greek Goddess of Wisdom; Bacchus, the Roman God of Wine and Hermes, the Greek God of Communication

Tim Simmons · 11th August 2006, 07:14 AM

David that is very interesting. I do wonder if you have really brought something to the discussion. The Burun cup link, is all about the magic quality of Rhinoceros horn. Perhaps this is more of a staff, one could deliver a jolly good whack to protect yourself if need be. Anyhow I now think that the carving is deliberate. Thanks for information. Something to take to the next Halloween party

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katana · 11th August 2006, 01:09 PM

Tim, regarding the Barum cup.....the belief that Rhino horn neutralised poisons was also prevalent in Asia and Europe and there are numerous examples of similar cups.....which I found surprising.
The mystical powers of Rhino horn are mainly concerning increased sexual power and longevity. With the combination of the carved female form and the phallic symbolism of the staff, suggests a fertilty or a 'right of passage' ritualistic device.
Perhaps the 6 fingered hand is symbolic of the female connection to a diety (creator ?), the bringer of life?
It is also possible that the 6 fingered hand is a direct representation of an individual. In tight knit communities genetic anomolies would be 'consentrated' in a localised area, if this was the case, perhaps it is a form of tribal/community identity.

Tim Simmons · 11th August 2006, 05:05 PM

I think this is most probably the case, a protective talisman. I think I am rather lucky to have it in my care for my life time. It goes with my Baron Samedi costume.

katana · 11th August 2006, 05:09 PM

THE THINGS VOO DO.....

The Double D · 11th August 2006, 06:54 PM

Is that Rhino horn? If it is it came from an exceptional rhino. Black rhino horn averages 12 to 32 inches. White rhino averages 24 inches although the record is 5" 3".

10th August 2006, 10:22 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Tim, all the info I have is pretty generalised, did a bit of checking...but discovered little...... Polydactyls have six or more digits on their hands or feet. The extra digits vary from small pieces of soft tissue to apparently complete digits. Historically and in the contemporary world, polydactylyism has been associated with witchcraft, psychic power, the extraterrestrial, divine connection, and sporting prowess. Also there numerous works of art from many era’s and cultures, that depict diety’s with 6 fingers The Number 6 also has connections with belief and mythology. For Christians, Jews and Moslems, the number 6 represents the day that man was created. Mathematicians revere the number 6 because it is the first perfect number. Deities associated with the number 6 include Athena, the Greek Goddess of Wisdom; Bacchus, the Roman God of Wine and Hermes, the Greek God of Communication

11th August 2006, 07:14 AM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,890	David that is very interesting. I do wonder if you have really brought something to the discussion. The Burun cup link, is all about the magic quality of Rhinoceros horn. Perhaps this is more of a staff, one could deliver a jolly good whack to protect yourself if need be. Anyhow I now think that the carving is deliberate. Thanks for information. Something to take to the next Halloween party .

11th August 2006, 01:09 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Tim, regarding the Barum cup.....the belief that Rhino horn neutralised poisons was also prevalent in Asia and Europe and there are numerous examples of similar cups.....which I found surprising. The mystical powers of Rhino horn are mainly concerning increased sexual power and longevity. With the combination of the carved female form and the phallic symbolism of the staff, suggests a fertilty or a 'right of passage' ritualistic device. Perhaps the 6 fingered hand is symbolic of the female connection to a diety (creator ?), the bringer of life? It is also possible that the 6 fingered hand is a direct representation of an individual. In tight knit communities genetic anomolies would be 'consentrated' in a localised area, if this was the case, perhaps it is a form of tribal/community identity.

11th August 2006, 05:05 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,890	I think this is most probably the case, a protective talisman. I think I am rather lucky to have it in my care for my life time. It goes with my Baron Samedi costume.

11th August 2006, 05:09 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	THE THINGS VOO DO.....

11th August 2006, 06:54 PM	#6
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	Is that Rhino horn? If it is it came from an exceptional rhino. Black rhino horn averages 12 to 32 inches. White rhino averages 24 inches although the record is 5" 3".