Arrow Item Number: Ie307 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

An arrow shaft, 88.5 cm. long, made of a variety of pitpit (sword grass). The shaft is light brown with black coating. Inserted into the tip of the shaft, held with a woven rattan sleeve 1 cm. wide, is a long point of black palm wood 27 cm. long, which appears to have had a thin point which was broken off. The point is incised with longitudinal wavy lines filled with short parallel lines and rubbed with red ochre and grey clay.

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 reciprocity.

Cultural Context

hunting; warfare; ceremonial