ritual objects; bow (ritual & belief: ritual apparatus); arrow

Small bow and arrow (Bedamuni: tébeesu taadi, tiarumasèi garèèsu). The small bow and arrow are used to cure headaches and other pains. The point of the arrow is made of a tiny piece of flint (tébeesu). The shaft of the arrow and the bow stave are made from ofa (sago palm rib). The rope consists of untwined gopéa (buko, Gnetum gnemon).

When a person has severe pains, he asks for a relative to ‘shoot’ with the bow and arrow at certain places to draw blood and to relieve the pain.

This example was made by Iwanibi.

Collection Information

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