snake or frigate bird

fearn · 10th May 2009, 09:19 PM

What makes you think frigate bird? While I think the head looks lizard-ish, I'd think that it was a snake, from the rest of the staff.

David · 10th May 2009, 09:49 PM

Nice staff! Yes, my guess would also be that it's intended to be a snake given the rather serpentine body of the rest of the staff.

VANDOO · 11th May 2009, 01:42 AM

IF MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECTLY THE FRIGATE BIRD HAS A HOOKED PREDATORY BEAK. SO I WOULD HAVE TO GO WITH SNAKE ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE TWISTED BODY OF THE STICK. NICE ONE.

josh stout · 11th May 2009, 03:08 PM

The marks on its head are similar to those on many cobra species.
Josh

Tim Simmons · 11th May 2009, 04:33 PM

It is not a frigate bird well certianly not as depicted on the Solomon Islands. All images I have from the Solomons have the hook. I am not saying it is not a snake. I am just exploring what we see and not taking for granted what we as westerns assume straight away. Just because the main part is a spiral does not mean it is a snake? The eye sokets could be avian? The pattern to the back of the head is interesting, could be part of the wood? As soon as I have it I will follow up. In the time being I will try to show other similar things. These pictures will do for starters. From Anthony JP Meyer "Oceanic Art" the staff is 3 inches longer than the one I hope to recieve.

Tim Simmons · 11th May 2009, 06:56 PM

I have found some very intersting information about people known as Keraki Papuans. The link is worth exploring more by clicking on Keraki at the top of the page. To cut if short the first beings {Gainjin} returned the the sky all except Bugal the snake and Warger the crocodile who still haunt the bush today. So I am starting to form the idea that it is indeed a snake. With very little contact untill 1920-39s it looks very much like it should, if it is that.

http://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/...e-Culture.html

Nick Wardigo · 12th May 2009, 01:35 PM

Attaching an image of the hood of a Spectacled Cobra.

11th May 2009, 04:33 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	It is not a frigate bird well certianly not as depicted on the Solomon Islands. All images I have from the Solomons have the hook. I am not saying it is not a snake. I am just exploring what we see and not taking for granted what we as westerns assume straight away. Just because the main part is a spiral does not mean it is a snake? The eye sokets could be avian? The pattern to the back of the head is interesting, could be part of the wood? As soon as I have it I will follow up. In the time being I will try to show other similar things. These pictures will do for starters. From Anthony JP Meyer "Oceanic Art" the staff is 3 inches longer than the one I hope to recieve. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 11th May 2009 at 04:58 PM.

11th May 2009, 06:56 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Interesting stuff I have found some very intersting information about people known as Keraki Papuans. The link is worth exploring more by clicking on Keraki at the top of the page. To cut if short the first beings {Gainjin} returned the the sky all except Bugal the snake and Warger the crocodile who still haunt the bush today. So I am starting to form the idea that it is indeed a snake. With very little contact untill 1920-39s it looks very much like it should, if it is that. http://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/...e-Culture.html

12th May 2009, 01:35 PM	#7
Nick Wardigo Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 54	Attaching an image of the hood of a Spectacled Cobra. Attached Images

10th May 2009, 09:19 PM	#1
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	What makes you think frigate bird? While I think the head looks lizard-ish, I'd think that it was a snake, from the rest of the staff.

10th May 2009, 09:49 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Nice staff! Yes, my guess would also be that it's intended to be a snake given the rather serpentine body of the rest of the staff.

11th May 2009, 01:42 AM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IF MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECTLY THE FRIGATE BIRD HAS A HOOKED PREDATORY BEAK. SO I WOULD HAVE TO GO WITH SNAKE ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE TWISTED BODY OF THE STICK. NICE ONE.

11th May 2009, 03:08 PM	#4
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	The marks on its head are similar to those on many cobra species. Josh