Oceanic wooden spears for comment

colin henshaw · 5th May 2009, 05:37 PM

Many thanks Tim and fearn.

I saw some excerpts from "Dead Birds" on YouTube...fascinating to see such stone-age weapons in actual use by native warriors, virtually without influence from Western culture. It seems warfare in New Guinea at least, was about display, sport/recreation and male posturing and that the number of fatalities were slight. This would go some way to explain why weeks of work could be expended in making a weapon that could be broken or lost to the enemy in one throw. Although Highland New Guinea spears tended to be plainer than my examples.

However, it must be said that Fijian natives in the 19th century and before, who also had intricate wooden spears, would massacre (and eat) large numbers of the enemy, including non-combatants.

Here are images of grasswork detail on another Solomons Island (Santa Cruz ?) spear I have, for interest.

Regards

asomotif · 6th May 2009, 12:02 AM

Interesting spears.

Here some of mine that I believe to be from PNG / Asmat ?

archer · 6th May 2009, 07:01 PM

Since We have a group interested in New guinea I thought I'd pose the question. I was told it is called a medicine mans stick, it was in with a lot of bows from the highlands. About six feet sooty and a bit brittle. thanks, Steve

heavy spear it may be the tip is broken or blunted from impact.

archer · 6th May 2009, 07:04 PM

Since We have a group interested in New Guinea I thought I'd pose the question. I was told it is called a medicine mans stick, it was in with a lot of bows from the highlands. About six feet sooty and a bit brittle. thanks, Steve

Sorry Delete this one.

5th May 2009, 05:37 PM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Many thanks Tim and fearn. I saw some excerpts from "Dead Birds" on YouTube...fascinating to see such stone-age weapons in actual use by native warriors, virtually without influence from Western culture. It seems warfare in New Guinea at least, was about display, sport/recreation and male posturing and that the number of fatalities were slight. This would go some way to explain why weeks of work could be expended in making a weapon that could be broken or lost to the enemy in one throw. Although Highland New Guinea spears tended to be plainer than my examples. However, it must be said that Fijian natives in the 19th century and before, who also had intricate wooden spears, would massacre (and eat) large numbers of the enemy, including non-combatants. Here are images of grasswork detail on another Solomons Island (Santa Cruz ?) spear I have, for interest. Regards Attached Images

6th May 2009, 12:02 AM	#2
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,235	Interesting spears. Here some of mine that I believe to be from PNG / Asmat ? Attached Images

6th May 2009, 07:01 PM	#3
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	what is this? Since We have a group interested in New guinea I thought I'd pose the question. I was told it is called a medicine mans stick, it was in with a lot of bows from the highlands. About six feet sooty and a bit brittle. thanks, Steve heavy spear it may be the tip is broken or blunted from impact. Attached Images Last edited by archer; 7th May 2009 at 06:30 AM.

6th May 2009, 07:04 PM	#4
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	what is this? Since We have a group interested in New Guinea I thought I'd pose the question. I was told it is called a medicine mans stick, it was in with a lot of bows from the highlands. About six feet sooty and a bit brittle. thanks, Steve Sorry Delete this one. Attached Images