Arrow Item Number: Ie304 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
An arrow shaft, 88 cm. long, made of a variety of pitpit (sword grass). Light brown near the fore-shaft is darkening to black at the butt due to a black coating. The fore-shaft of black palm wood, 18 cm. long, is inserted into the shaft and bound with a woven sleeve of rattan 1.5 cm. wide. The fore-shaft is incised with dots and zigzag lines. The long point is made of solid bone, protruding 6.5 cm. beyond the fore-shaft and bound to it with a band of bark cord 10 cm. wide and a sleeve of woven rattan 1.5 cm. wide coated with red and yellow ? ochre.
History Of Use
Related to masculinity and warfare contexts. Used in hunting and warfare; also carried in ritual dancing. Bow and arrow may symbolize metaphorically the Kewa male, especially aggressive/war aspects, as opposed to reciprocity aspects.
Cultural Context
Warfare; ceremonial; hunting.
Item History
- Made in Iapi, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea before 1972
- Collected by John Leroy between 1970 and 1972
- Owned by John Leroy before June 1976
- Received from John Leroy (Seller) and Unknown (Funding source) during June 1976
What
Who
- Culture
- Kewa
- Field Collector
- John Leroy
- Previous Owner
- John Leroy
- Received from
- John Leroy (Seller) and Unknown (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Iapi, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea
When
- Creation Date
- before 1972
- Collection Date
- between 1970 and 1972
- Ownership Date
- before June 1976
- Acquisition Date
- during June 1976
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0325/0005