Arrow Item Number: Ie306 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

An arrow shaft, 83 cm. long, made of a variety of pitpit (sword grass). The shaft is light brown with black coating. The fore-shaft is a flat length of black palm wood, 10.5 cm. long, bound to the shaft with a sleeve of woven rattan 1.5 cm. wide and to the point with a band of bark cord 11 cm. wide. The fore-shaft is also bound with a band of woven rattan less than 1 cm. wide. The bark cord band is coated with red ochre and has a rough stripe of grey clay on each side. The long point is of solid bone, 17 cm. long, also coated with a black substance.

History Of Use

Used in hunting and warfare also carried in ritual dancing. Bow and arrow may symbolize metaphorically the Kewa male, especially the aggressive/war aspects as opposed to the reciprocity aspects.

Cultural Context

warfare; hunting; ceremonial