dagger (general & multipurpose); ceremonial weapon; dance accessory (ceremonial artefacts & rank insignia)

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. In this example, the top of the bone has been painted with red earth (apusi).

The dagger was bought from Hau, living in the Sogaribi communal house near Mougulu village.

fighting

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
1982.36
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 292 mm x 45 mm x 42 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
cassowary bone; red earth (apusi); paint
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
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Collection Information

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