Hi Tim,
I wanted to thank you for posting this stick as well as for the excellent material you have posted in followup and research! I have always been intrigued by the symbolism found in the motif, markings, decorations and shapes in not only weapons but material culture. I am actually kind of surprised at the lack of response or observations from others on this thread since the subject matter is often key to ethnographic weapon study.
As you have shown with the material you have posted, numerology is strongly apparant in African symbolism and culture, of course much as in most other cultures. As you have mentioned there have been many discussions concerning numeric marks and sequenced material on weapons motif, such as the trimurti or three dots on Indian weapons, the seven stars on Chinese and so on. European blades, especially during 17th and 18th centuries were wrought with cabalistic and numeric symbolism, and it seems that numerics were often keyed to certain Masonic lore. I know that in certain design in hilt elements on British swords the numeric five was key.
In West African culture, as I am inclined to agree with you as the origin of this stick, another fascinating element of the culture based in degree on numerics, was the 'talking of the drums'. The messages had I believe been based on numeric beat sequences. Whether or not this applies here I am not sure, but thought it was worthy of note.
Thanks again very much Tim, for sharing the information and the chance to learn a little more on this interesting item.
All the best,
Jim
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