Bow Item Number: Na992 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Cable-backed bow made from wood and other materials. There are 2 places where thin pieces of bone have been attached to either side of the wood with copper pins, one has sealskin sewn over the top of the bone, and the other has sinew lashed over it. There are knobs on either end of the bow, around which 8 braided sinew cords are strung. The cords are lashed onto the wood in 2 places, and they are twisted and wound with sealskin in the middle section. (Bow string no longer attached.)

History Of Use

Bows were reinforced with other materials when the available wood did not have the required strength and elasticity. Bows were used for hunting land animals such as caribou and birds, and occasionally they were used for warfare. Bows were replaced by rifles.

Narrative

Said to have been collected in the MacKenzie District, southwest of Victoria Island and northeast of Bear Lake.

Cultural Context

hunting