dagger (weapons: edged); ceremonial weapon; dance accessory (ceremonial artefacts & rank insignia)

Decorative dagger (Bedamuni: guaama, nuusi). A sharp pointed piece of cassowary bone in the form of a dagger, used only as a decorative object. The dagger is given to boys with their initiation, and is worn mainly by them and by kafoi and kosèi dancers.

After the cutting of the guaama from the Cassowary bone, the dagger is dried and bleached outdoors in the sun.

This dagger was made by Osia.

fighting

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
1982.15
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 349 mm x 45 mm x 38 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
cassowary bone
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
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Collection Information

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