Thanks n2s.
Doing a little more surfing I came up with this entry from the Australian Museums Online site:
Quote:
Picture -- no image available --
Title
Object Catagory Artefact
Object Type Ceremonial Item - Sacred item
Creator Iatmul (language)
Description 18 inches long and damaged at the tip, and has in addition a 7 inch handle. / Sawfish. These are used ceremonially in a very long ceremony. It has apparently been coated with a black substance. See also 2997.
Key Search Ceremonial Item / Sacred item / Iatmul (language)
Associated Places Papua New Guinea / East Sepik
Date JUN 1953
Item ID 2996
References
Institute University of Queensland: Anthropology Museum
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A little googling didn't turn up any "very long" ceremonies that noted sawfish bills but it is certainly a clue as to use at least in Papua New Guinea.