Arrow from Santa Cruz, Melanesia

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by VANDOO

A DIFFICULT SUBJECT AND FEW REFRENCES AVAILABLE. I HAD MENTIONED THE BRIGHT YELLOW FIBER BEING FROM A TYPE OR ORCHID FIBER USED TO WRAP THE POINTS AND WOULD SOFTEN AND FALL APART IN THE WARM BLOOD ESPECIALLY IF THE VICTUM MOVES MUCH. THIS WOULD REMAIN IN THE WOUND WHEN THE ARROW WAS REMOVED CAUSING INFECTION. ITS POSSIBLE IT MAY HAVE BEEN SOAKED IN SOMETHING NASTY OR POSIONOUS BUT I HAVEN'T READ IT STATED AS FACT. ONE TYPE OF PALM WOOD USED FOR POINTS SEPARATES INTO SLIVERS IN THE WOUND DUE TO THE WARM BLOOD ALSO LEAVING MATERIAL DIFFICULT TO REMOVE.SOMETIMES ANIMAL SKIN OR TISSUE IS USED TO BIND ON POINTS OR BARBS BUT IT IS USUALLY PLANT FIBER AND RESINS.
VARIOUS THINGS USED FOR BARBS FROM THORNS TO FISH BONES AND SPINES TO HUMAN BONE SLIVERS TO CRITTER TEETH FISH, SNAKE, ECT. HERE ARE A FEW PICTURES.
1 PICTURE SEVERAL ARROWS THE ONE TO THE FAR LEFT THE MOST SIMULAR TO YOUR EXAMPLE, BARBS APPEAR MISSING AND CARVED SHAFT, INFO WAS NEW GUINEA ARROWS. NOT MUCH HELP.
2. FLY RIVER AREA NEW GUINEA 1920'S ARROWS. ONE EXAMPLE WITH SINGLE BONE BARB.
3. NEDO IS. SANTA CRUZ IS. LOOKS LIKE A RABBIT
4. FEATHER MONEY TRIBAL FORTUNE SANTA CRUZ IS. 1930

I HAVE SOME PICTURES FROM BOGANVILLE ISLAND WITH MULTIPLE BARBS BUT THEY ARE TOO LARGE TO POST HERE. I SEE I CAN'T SEND YOU AN EMAIL VIA THE FORUM BUT SEND ME AN EMAIL VIA MY FORUM INFO AND I WILL TRY AND SEND THEM TO YOU IN A EMAIL.

Salaams Maria and VANDOO et al ~ Rumaging through my library I dug up a book in German called Mythos und Kunst based on the Papua New Guinea region full of pictures of artefacts like arrows and spears etc If needed I can shoot some pictures. Regards Ibrahiim

[Maria L]

Hi Ibrahiim,

Yes, it would be great to see the pictures from your book, especially if there's anything resembling the arrow I'm working on. Unfortunately I don't speak German, so if there's any information in the book that you think is relevant, could you possibly summarise for me? Your help is much appreciated

Maria