Overview of Materials on this Forum

[Ian]

THE WEAPONS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF
AUSTRALASIA AND OCEANIA

HOW THIS PROJECT IS CONSTRUCTED

This page provides an overview for a systematic approach to describing the weapons made and used by indigenous peoples of Australasia and Oceania.

The information will be presented as a series of “Museum Pages” that provide descriptions and pictures of the various weapons. Also, the geography of the country, a brief background of the indigenous people of the country, and a summary of colonial influences will be presented.

The Museum Pages will be closed for discussion to preserve a focus on the items themselves. To discuss an item presented in a Museum Page, members should create a new thread that provides a link to the relevant item in the respective Museum Page.

SENSITIVE ISSUES

The term “Indigenous People(s)” (IP) is used to designate the groups who occupied these regions prior to thre arrival of Europeans. “Indigenous peoples” is preferred to the term “First Nations,” with the latter having overtones of political disputes around land ownership. Such controversy is out of place on this Forum.

Colonialism

The long period before European contact is described as “pre-contact,” a term that is used in the historical and anthropological literature, and obviously varies for each nation. Dating of indigenous artefacts is sometimes referred to as “post-contact,” “first contact,” or “pre-contact” as reference points. These terms are self-explanatory.

A host of Western countries have been influential in the region at various times, including the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, France, Britain, Germany, and the United States.

The indigenous peoples of Australasia and Oceania have often had a troubled colonial past. This raises political sensitivities that persist today around a history of slavery, indentured servitude and exploitation, loss of land ownership, lack of political rights, historical acts of genocide, ongoing racism, etc. These are difficult contemporary issues. From the outset, this Forum will not become a sounding board for political views on contentious matters — attempts to pursue such topics will result in the removal of the offending material and bans imposed on members who attempt to publish such views here. The Forum does, however, recognize the adverse impact of colonialism in these regions, injustices that have resulted, and the lasting effects such trauma has had.

From the viewpoint of weapons collection and identification, foreign involvement in these regions has contributed to the preservation of many indigenous weapons and other artefacts that might otherwise have been lost. Although an unintended consequence of colonialism, the collection and study of the material culture of these regions has been enhanced and preserved.

Images of Dead People

Some cultures in the region have great sensitivity to displaying and viewing images of people who have died. Pictures of people who have died may be present on the proposed museum pages. A warning statement will be placed on pages where such images may occur, consistent with similar warnings used by public media (such as television and films).

MATERIALS TO BE DEVELOPED FOR EACH COUNTRY
IN AUSTRALASIA AND OCEANIA

The purpose of this project is to provide a resource for those who are interested in the indigenous weapons of Australasia and Oceania. The information is not intended to be an anthropological treatise on the material culture of these nations. However, some background information is provided in an attempt to place the weapons discussed in a cultural and historical context. An "artificial intelligence" program (ChatGPT) has been used in some places to facilitate narratives. The places where this has been used are identified.

Country Name

A. Background

1. Geography

2. A brief history of indigenous occupants

3. Colonial history (including WWI, WWII involvement)

B. Weapons, Shields, Armor

1. Projectiles

a. Spears
b. Sticks and clubs/boomerangs
c. Bows, arrows
d. Other

2. Clubs

a. Throwing
b. Combat

3. Hafted weapons

a. Axes
b. Adzes
c. Other

4. Shields and armor

5. Other items adapted for fighting

6. Ceremonial/Spiritual weapons

C. References and Online Resources

Additional features may be added to this outline. Suggestions for changes/additions should be directed to a Moderator.

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The various levels of discussion will appear as shown below.

0. AUSTRALASIA AND OCEANIA

1. AUSTRALASIA

2. AUSTRALASIA>AUSTRALIA & TERRITORIES

3. AUSTRALASIA>AUSTRALIA & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>PROJECTILES>SPEARS
3. AUSTRALASIA>AUSTRALIA & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>PROJECTILES>STICKS/CLUBS/BOOMERANGS
3. AUSTRALASIA>AUSTRALIA & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>PROJECTILES>BOWS AND ARROWS
3. AUSTRALASIA>AUSTRALIA & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>PROJECTILES>OTHER
3. AUSTRALASIA>AUSTRALIA & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>CLUBS>CLOSE COMBAT
3. AUSTRALASIA>AUSTRALIA & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>CLUBS>THROWING
3. AUSTRALASIA>AUSTRALIA & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>HAFTED WEAPONS>AXES
3. AUSTRALASIA>AUSTRALIA & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>HAFTED WEAPONS>ADZES
3. AUSTRALASIA>AUSTRALIA & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>HAFTED WEAPONS>OTHER
3. AUSTRALASIA>AUSTRALIA & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>SHIELDS AND ARMOUR>SHIELDS
3. AUSTRALASIA>AUSTRALIA & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>SHIELDS AND ARMOUR>ARMOUR
3. AUSTRALASIA>AUSTRALIA & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>OTHER ITEMS ADAPTED FOR FIGHTING
3. AUSTRALASIA>AUSTRALIA & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>CEREMONIAL/SPIRITUAL ITEMS
3. AUSTRALASIA>AUSTRALIA & TERRITORIES>REFERENCES AND ONLINE RESOURCES

2. AUSTRALASIA>NEW ZEALAND & TERRITORIES

3. AUSTRALASIA>NEW ZEALAND & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>PROJECTILES>SPEARS
3. AUSTRALASIA>NEW ZEALAND & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>PROJECTILES>STICKS/CLUBS/BOOMERANGS
3. AUSTRALASIA>NEW ZEALAND & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>PROJECTILES>BOWS AND ARROWS
3. AUSTRALASIA>NEW ZEALAND & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>PROJECTILES>OTHER
3. AUSTRALASIA>NEW ZEALAND & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>CLUBS>CLOSE COMBAT
3. AUSTRALASIA>NEW ZEALAND & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>CLUBS>THROWING
3. AUSTRALASIA>NEW ZEALAND & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>HAFTED WEAPONS>AXES
3. AUSTRALASIA>NEW ZEALAND & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>HAFTED WEAPONS>ADZES
3. AUSTRALASIA>NEW ZEALAND & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>HAFTED WEAPONS>OTHER
3. AUSTRALASIA>NEW ZEALAND & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>SHIELDS AND ARMOUR>SHIELDS
3. AUSTRALASIA>NEW ZEALAND & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>SHIELDS AND ARMOUR>ARMOUR
3. AUSTRALASIA>NEW ZEALAND & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>OTHER ITEMS ADAPTED FOR FIGHTING
3. AUSTRALASIA>NEW ZEALAND & TERRITORIES>WEAPONS>CEREMONIAL/SPIRITUAL ITEMS
3. AUSTRALASIA>NEW ZEALAND & TERRITORIES>REFERENCES AND ONLINE RESOURCES

2. AUSTRALASIA>PAPUA NEW GUINEA & IRIAN JAYA

3. AUSTRALASIA>PAPUA NEW GUINEA & IRIAN JAYA>WEAPONS>PROJECTILES>SPEARS
3. AUSTRALASIA>PAPUA NEW GUINEA & IRIAN JAYA>WEAPONS>PROJECTILES>STICKS/CLUBS/BOOMERANGS
3. AUSTRALASIA>PAPUA NEW GUINEA & IRIAN JAYA>WEAPONS>PROJECTILES>BOWS AND ARROWS
3. AUSTRALASIA>PAPUA NEW GUINEA & IRIAN JAYA>WEAPONS>PROJECTILES>OTHER
3. AUSTRALASIA>PAPUA NEW GUINEA & IRIAN JAYA>WEAPONS>CLUBS>CLOSE COMBAT
3. AUSTRALASIA>PAPUA NEW GUINEA & IRIAN JAYA>WEAPONS>CLUBS>THROWING
3. AUSTRALASIA>PAPUA NEW GUINEA & IRIAN JAYA>WEAPONS>HAFTED WEAPONS>AXES
3. AUSTRALASIA>PAPUA NEW GUINEA & IRIAN JAYA>WEAPONS>HAFTED WEAPONS>ADZES
3. AUSTRALASIA>PAPUA NEW GUINEA & IRIAN JAYA>WEAPONS>HAFTED WEAPONS>OTHER
3. AUSTRALASIA>PAPUA NEW GUINEA & IRIAN JAYA>WEAPONS>SHIELDS AND ARMOUR>SHIELDS
3. AUSTRALASIA>PAPUA NEW GUINEA & IRIAN JAYA>WEAPONS>SHIELDS AND ARMOUR>ARMOUR
3. AUSTRALASIA>PAPUA NEW GUINEA & IRIAN JAYA>WEAPONS>OTHER ITEMS ADAPTED FOR FIGHTING
3. AUSTRALASIA>PAPUA NEW GUINEA & IRIAN JAYA>WEAPONS>CEREMONIAL/SPIRITUAL ITEMS
3. AUSTRALASIA>PAPUA NEW GUINEA & IRIAN JAYA>REFERENCES AND ONLINE RESOURCES

1. OCEANIA

SIMILAR TO ABOVE FOR VARIOUS COUNTRIES IN OCEANIA