Awl

Item number Ie338 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

An awl of cassowary leg bone, tapering to a point, and grooved near the joint end. The joint is dark brown while the point is light yellow. The surface, except for the joint, is extremely smooth, polished through use.

History Of Use

Used by young women in rituals connected with courtship, as revenge usually against men who have spurned courtship. Awl is planted in ground near path on which young man travels, a spell is said over it, and results (misfortune to him) await.

Cultural Context

ritual

Item History

What

Name
Awl
Identification Number
Ie338
Type of Item
awl
Material
cassowary bone
Manufacturing Technique
split, polished and scraped
Overall
height 21.3 cm, width 2.4 cm, depth 2.0 cm

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Iapi, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea

Who

Culture
Kewa
Field Collector
John Leroy
Previous Owner
John Leroy
Received from
John Leroy (Seller) and Unknown (Funding source)

When

Creation Date
before 1972
Collection Date
between 1970 and 1972
Ownership Date
before June 1976
Acquisition Date
during June 1976

Other

Condition
good
Accession Number
0325/0039
This work is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 2.5 Canada License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available by emailing info@moa.ubc.ca.

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