THE POMMEL COVER IS A FETISH BAG I SUPPOSE THESE ARE MADE AND PUT ON THE SWORD BY THE WITCHDOCTOR UNLESS THE SWORDMAKERS ARE WITCHDOCTORS AND CAN MAKE THE SWORD AND THE FETISH. THEY ARE OFTEN COVERED IN LEOPARD FUR BUT I HAVE SEEN OTHER FUR USED BUT SUSPECT LEOPARD IS THE PREFERRED MATERIAL. I HAVE ALSO SEEN QUITE A FEW WITH THE FETISH BAG MISSING AND HAVE HEARD STORIES THAT MISSONAIRYS HAD THEM REMOVE THEM AS IT WAS CONSIDERED A HEATHEN SUPERSTITION TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC AND WITCHDOCTORS.
I HAVE NO IDEA AS TO WHAT GOES INTO A FETISH BAG BUT YOU SEE THEM ON AFRICAN, NIAS, DAYAK WEAPONS AND IN MANY INSTANCES CHARMS AND TAILSMEN ARE WRITTEN ON THE SWORDS OR PERHAPS A SMALL PIECE OF PAPER WITH A STRONG CHARM IS INSERTED SOMEWHERE. THE AMERICAN TRIBES OFTEN CARRIED A MEDICINE BAG WHICH WAS ALSO A FETISH.
IT WOULD BE INTERESTING IF A STUDY HAS BEEN DONE ON THE CONTENTS OF THE FETISHES AND THE POWERS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE CONTENTS.
CONGRADULATIONS ON A NICE OLD SWORD.
