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Old 17th February 2012, 08:09 PM   #1
VANDOO
(deceased)
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: OKLAHOMA, USA
Posts: 3,138
Talking PADDLES TOOL, WEAPON AND CEREMONIE

SINCE THE PADDLE WAS BROUGHT UP I THINK IT DESERVES A POST FOR DISCUSSION. THE PADDLE IS PRIMARILY A TOOL FOR PROPELLING AND STEARING WATER CRAFT MOST NOTABLY A CANOE. IT ALSO SERVES TO FEND OFF OBJECTS AND IN BATTLE TO FEND OFF OTHER BOATS AS WELL AS TO STRIKE OR SPEAR THE ENEMY. IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE TO DESIGN A PADDLE AS A WEAPON ON A WAR CANOE AS DURING BATTLE ONE MUST MANUVER THE CANOE AND DEFEND AND ATTACK THE ENEMY ALL AT THE SAME TIME, NO TIME TO PUT DOWN THE PADDLE TO PICK UP THE CLUB OR SPEAR IF YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF PADDELING THE CANOE. THE CHIEF AND SOME WARRIORS MAY HAVE BEEN PRESENT AND IN CHARGE OF MOST OF THE FIGHTING BUT THE PADDLERS WEVE VERY IMPORTANT TOO.
THE PADDLE IS USED FOR IMPORTANT CEREMONIES IN MANY SOCIETYS AS WELL SO SOME ONLY SERVE AS CEREMONIAL OBJECTS. IN AREAS WHERE WARFARE IS NOT THE AIM A MORE CRUDE AND MUNDANE FORM OF PADDLE WILL BE USED FOR EVERDAY USE.
PADDLEING STANDING UP IS DONE IF YOU WANT TO BE SEEN PERHAPS AS A SHOW THAT YOUR INTENTIONS ARE FRIENDLY. THE MAIN REASONS WOULD BE TO SEE DOWN INTO THE WATER EITHER TO AVOID RUNNING OVER A ROCK OR CORAL IN THE SHALLOW LAGOON AND TO SEE FISH TO SPEAR OF OTHER SEAFOOD TO CATCH OR GATHER. ON A LONG TRIP BY CANOE PADDELING IS DONE SITTING DOWN EXCEPT FOR THE HELMSMAN WHO IN SOME CASES STANDS TO USE THE LONGER STEARING PADDLE.
ON THE ISLAND OF SURINAN IN THE CARABEAN CEREMONIAL PADDLES ARE CARVED TO PRESENT TO THE GIRL OF THEIR CHOICE AS A GIFT AND PROPOSAL. THESE ARE WELL CARVED AND OFTEN PAINTED WITH COLORFUL DESIGNS.
THE PADDLE CAN BE CONSIDERED A NOBLE WEAPON EVEN MUSASHI MIYAMOTO USED ONE TO VANQUISH HIS MOST FORMADIBLE FOE.
PIC.#1 SOLOMON IS. WAR CANOES CIRC. 1907
#2 &3 NEW GUINEA PADDLES
#4 &5 DAYAK CEREMONIAL PADDLES 41IN AND 42.5 INCH LONG
ONE WITH INLAY
#6 SISSANO LAGOON PADDLE BLADE PAINTED BLADE 187 CM.
LONG
#7 PAINTED PADDLE BLADE KARANJA TRIBE, MATTEGROSSO
BRAZIL
#8 FIVE CEREMONIAL PADDLES TAHITI
#9 MENTAWAI PADDLE 63.5 INCH LONG
# 10 & 11 MASSIM CANOE RUDDER BLADE AND HANDLE 158CM.
LONG
#12 SISSANO LAGOON PADDLE PAINTED HANDLE.
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Last edited by VANDOO; 17th February 2012 at 08:32 PM.
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