Global Art & Artifacts

Old Asmat Headhunter Dagger. Cassowary Bird bone. Tribal. Arrow tip. Papua New Guinea

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Typical of the tribal thigh bone daggers used in ceremonial and ritualistic events.  These are made from the thigh bone of a Cassowary, a large flightless bird.  The head – or joint – is decorated  with coix beads and cassowary feathers bundles.  This is an older dagger – covered in a woven hood – from the Arapesh peoples of East Sepik.

A dagger without the “dressing (beads and feathers)” was used by Asmat headhunters for hand-to-hand combat or . . . for game hunters to carve up the victim.  They were most often tucked inside woven belts or armbands.

Acquired from a private collection.

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